AFRICANEWS

Kenya

Championing the youth agenda

Youth

Though Kenyan youth constitute 62 percent of the country's population, they are often left out of decision-making, even on matters concerning their own welfare. And whenever they try to voice their grievances, authorities quickly point out that they have either been drugged or incited by an opposition politician.

It is against this background that the Centre for Youth in Sustainable Development (CEYSUD) is determined to champion the cause of youth by empowering them in a holistic way. Officially launched on September 9, 2000, the Centre has armed itself with the motto, "own your future now."

CEYSUD is an umbrella body that co-ordinates youth programmes in Kenya. It aims to promote development for all, gather and disseminate youth-oriented information, enhance young people's socio-economic and political empowerment, and conduct youth advocacy and networking. Based on those objectives, the centre has developed core programmes that focus on environmental stewardship, economic empowerment, political participation, and HIV/AIDS prevention.

The Centre has adopted radical and innovative approaches to their three HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. The leading programme, post-test initiative (PTI), encourages participants to undergo voluntary testing, counselling, and behavioural change. Other programmes include the Children and Youth Campaign Against AIDS (CHAINS), which empowers children and youth in especially difficult circumstances to spread awareness and avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.

In 1999, then environmental studies students Paul Kitheka, 25, John Okinda, 23, and Saleh Osore, came up with the idea to start the Centre.

"The idea was mooted during tea break at one of the environmental conferences where the youth were not allowed to talk," says Kitheka, who is now the Centre's executive director. "We decided to look for our own forum where we could talk freely." Says Okinda, the Centre's programme director: "We would meet in people's office receptions without their knowing that we were discussing."

The three founders work as volunteers and have lawyer Ambrose Rachier as their patron and Mrs. Alice Gondi as executive officer. Gondi, who donated an office complete with a telephone line, says of the group: "These young men inspired me because apparently we were sharing a vision. As an entrepreneur, I encouraged them to move forward and realise their goal." She adds that her experience as a teacher motivates her to work with young people, since she understands their problems.

Though determined to succeed, the group faces many constraints. Key among these is the attitude of the old guard, who think the youth have been "sent" by some "godfather." Laments Osore: "They don't believe young men can come up with innovative ideas." Resources are also limited, considering that they are all unemployed and have no donors.

But their determination is far from waning. The group is planning a fund-raising walk on December 1 to coincide with World AIDS Day. The purpose of the walk is to create awareness and raise funds for the Centre's Voluntary Counselling and Testing Programme that the group launched in the Nairobi slum of Kibera but would like to expand to all constituencies in the city. The project - to run for 18 months - will be implemented at a cost of KSh7 million (approximately US$100,000). Thus for the group, World AIDS Day will be a day to reflect and not to celebrate.

At a time when their contemporaries are busy looking for jobs, group members are determined to provide solutions to problems and help in community development. "I wanted to meet the aspirations of society. I wanted to be independent and employ people instead of being employed," concludes Kitheka. As Rachier says: "The role of the youth in development is cardinal and it is for this reason that we welcome and laud the input of the centre for youth in sustainable development and it is for the same reason that they need the support of everyone."

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