“The potential of Kenya’s growing youth population propels hope of a continent on the rise”

However much there has been considerable progress in the last couple of years, the realization of Sustainable development goal number 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, still remains an uphill task that requires a concerted effort for it to be achieved. Strides made by civil society organizations, governments, local communities and international development agencies have without doubt led to substantial development but political commitments and interventions to support marginalized groups such as youths still remain a dream.

Presently, the world has about 1.2 billion young people today aged between 15 to 26 years and despite them being affected directly by water issues, many of them have been excluded from WASH governance and decision making.

Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO) recognizes the ability of young people as agents of change and thus have seen the need to create youth forums to provide opportunities and exposure for meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Thus, KWAHO in partnership with KEWASNET initiated youth parliaments in Busia and Kakamega counties to champion meaningful youth participation and leadership.

The participants were drawn from various youth groups within the two counties taking into consideration gender inclusivity and people living with disabilities.

During the inception of the Parliaments, the participants expressed their contempt to the bureaucracy in government to avail information to the youth and availability of limited opportunities as major setbacks in championing for a transformative society with good service delivery to the common citizen. Linet Kamadi, a youth advocate in Kakamega County, alluded that these have inhibited the current youths to voice their opinions in advocacy campaigns, a prerequisite in holding duty bearers accountable.

Mr. Malesi Shivaji CEO KEWASNET, stressed on the need for youth advancement in transforming the society and taking up their space in ensuring principles of good governance are upheld. He promised to oversee the capacity development of the youth on social accountability as they amplify their voice in decision-making processes at both county and national level. To echo his sentiments, Mr. Brian Kwena, KWAHO’s WGSP project manager, reiterated that the youth parliaments will be strengthened to ensure they advocate for responsive institutions that recognize the role of youths and create platforms for engagements in water and sanitation issues in the community.

Going forward KWAHO and KEWASNET will put more effort to facilitate Youth Participation in WASH, these efforts will endeavor to bring youths as key stakeholders and link them with other stakeholders in the sector for a strengthened collective voice to facilitate the attainment of Sustainable development goal number 6.

The potential of Kenya’s growing youth population propels hope of a continent on the rise. It will be of great benefit if the youths are granted a meaningful space for participation and leadership that will enhance their capacity to hold duty bearers accountable, expand their scope of influence, improve their lives and leverage their larger society to achieve the global standards.