Indeed, this communique from S. K on behalf of Youth Agenda is not only timely, but really spot on too. I recall with some nostalgia the process that led to this development (read KNYP & NYC as a supporting instrument) and the arguments that came through during the provincial hearings and the National Consensus Building forum by young people in late 2006. In this regard, I wish to append my voice as below:
- Reports (some of which I authored) will indicate that young people were of the opinion that if elections came due, an independent body such as the current IIEC would be mandated to run the elections for the proposed Council. I aver that the Ministry of Youth does not have any demonstrated capability or capacity to effectively and efficiently run elections of such magnitude. I beg to be convinced otherwise on this stand.
- That right from the so called Consensus Building Workshop, it was evident that the Ministry was hellbent on creating an NYC that would be a toy of the Government and a rubber stamp for it's (Ministry's) overt actions in the name of youth development. This position, I and others involved in the process then did raise with the immediate former PS in the Ministry of Youth late Major Kinuthia Murugu. And from his lukewarm and guarded reaction to these issues, it was evident to us that there was something rolled up the sleeves of the ministry. The very secretive nature of the impending elections is sufficient evidence for this position. Suffices to state that during the international study travels, the Ministry officials must have learnt their lessons well. they are looking to create such councils that exist in both Rwanda and Uganda which are government pets for the saying!
Regards.
RE: Ministry Of Youth Affairs 's plan to hold sham elections for the National Youth Council Officials
In December 2009, President Mwai Kibaki assented to the enactment of the National Youth Council Act which was subsequently gazetted in January 2010. This Act will bring in force a powerful body known as the Kenya National Youth Council whose mandate will be to co-ordinate all youth organisations, design and continuously review the National Youth Policy and develop an "integrated National Youth Development Plan" in collaboration with the Ministry responsible for Youth Affairs. The Council will also act as an advisory, research and policy institution on youth affairs in the country. In essence the council shall be the Advocate, Connector and Enabler for young people in Kenya.
As it stands today, the National Youth Council has not been established. The Youth Agenda and other stakeholders has been at the forefront in advocating for a responsive Youth Council, we have also been vigilant in trying to ensure involvement, participation and representation of the youth constituency in the formation of the National Youth Council.
In pursuance of this, we have sent numerous communiqué to the Ministry of Youth Affairs seeking to promote youth participation in this process including a memorandum prescribing the manner in which the Youth Consortium wanted the election of the NYC officials conducted. To date, the Ministry has silent on the matter and at times evasive while operating exclusive of the youth constituents the ministry is supposed to serve.
It has now come to our attention that the Ministry of Youth Affairs is planning to hold elections of the Youth Council on Wednesday 11th August from 10am. It is on this premise that we would like to raise the following:-
Our Concerns
1) That, a majority of the Youth are not aware of the upcoming elections
2) That, The elections might be used to rubber stamp a preselected committee
3) If the elections are not held in a transparent and participatory manner, the Council will not have the legitimacy it needs in order to have impact and achieve its goals
Our Submission
In the spirit of transparency, openness and inclusivity we recommend the following to the ministry;
1. That, the process be opened up at all levels for all the youth of this country
2. That, based on the memorandum (dated 2nd June 2010) submitted to the Ministry of Youth Affairs by the youth consortium, the ministry must engage other stakeholders in the election process.
3. That, if the National youth Council is to be responsive to and owned by the young men and women of the new Kenya, then the Ministry must involve the youth of this country in the process of establishing this council.
Seeing as this has not been done, we read malice into the ministry's actions which are in bad taste. The ministry must and should remain accountable to its constituents and as such it should be prepared to face the backlash of stage-managed elections. These elections must be postponed to allow for awareness and participation of all the youth in this country.
Conclusion
It is our hope that the National Youth Council will have an active youth force serving in it; will be representative of all Kenyan youth including women, persons with disability as well as minorities groups; and that the appointing process will be transparent, fair and democratic.
Yours Sincerely,
Susan Kariuki
Act. Executive Director
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