Pushing forward the youth agenda

At 29, Susan Kariuki is not only the Youth Agenda CEO but was also a member of the reference group for the Committee of Experts. She spoke to NJOKI CHEGEHer exuberant presence and impressive mastery of the murky Kenyan political scene coupled with her witty, intelligent remarks on current affairs are just some of the qualities that will draw you to her.One can listen to her for hours on end and learn volumes about youth and women empowerment in Kenya. Her passion and energy are not only conspicuous, but alsocontagious.Suzan Kariuki-CEO-Youth AgendaMeet Susan Kariuki, 29, the Chief Executive Officer of Youth Agenda Kenya. The Youth Agenda is an independent national youth organisation founded in 1996 to facilitate a participatory process that enables young people to assert their role and visibility in governance and development in Kenya.childhood dreamGrowing up in Thika, she was known to be an outspoken, opinionated girl with a mind of her own. Inspite of her outgoing and bubbly personality, she never imagined she would one day take to the streets to complain about MPs’ perks, high food and fuel prices, among other injustices in the country."I was annoyed with the culture of impunity in this country, and, more so by the fact that there aren’t enough young women in national leadership," she says.Shortly after acquiring a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Development from Daystar University in 2003, Susan’s path was clearly cut out for her. "I wanted to help the community, particularly the youth and young women" she quips.life-changing experienceSusan recalls what a greenhorn she was, as far as governance and gender issues were concerned. "I knew nothing about the Constitution and governance but I had a heart for true and servant leadership. I never understood why activists yearned for a new constitution, until I joined the Youth Agenda," she explains.She began her career at Youth Agenda as an intern in 2004 and vividly recalls her first assignment that required her to act as rapporteur for a meeting in strategic management.Soon Susan would rise through the ranks from an intern to project secretary, programme officer and programme /administration officer, deputy CEO and now the CEO. In 2005, in her capacity as programmes officer, her main agenda was to increase the number of young women in the decision making process in Kenya.Susan coined an idea that would see the Youth Agenda support and sponsor young women to Parliament. Top on her list were Cecily Mbarire, current Runyenjes MP, and Carol Ruto for the Chepalungu seat.Prior to the August referendum, Susan was involved in campaigning for the new constitution, an experience she terms as life changing. She was involved in various youth forums across the country, giving civic education to youth. She was also involved in scenario building as a member of the reference group for the Committee of Experts. Susan came up with a youth forum dubbed ‘Students’ Speak’ that engaged university students in policy making. She held forums with university students, Martha Karua and KNHREC Commissioner Hassan Omar Hassan at the University of Nairobi to explain to the youth the benefits accrued to them in the new law.Susan enrolled a Masters in Entrepreneurship in 2006, but did not finish it due to the heavy demands and pressures she encountered working with the Youth Agenda. not yet ripe for politics"There was so much work that made me not finish my Masters in Entrepreneurship. I later on took Masters in Strategic Management skills which I am still pursuing," she explains.Susan believes the society needs planning to fully address its development problems: "We need planning in this country, so that we don’t keep doing the same things and getting the same results."Susan believes she is a leader, although she feels she is not ripe for politics just yet. So what does she hope to achieve in her current capacity? Susan hopes to be a role model to youth and to influence change positively.challengesBut her job is not without its share of challenges, she admits. Susan claims that the erratic behaviour among youth is not only disturbing, but discouraging as well. "Youth today are selling age at the expense of values and leadership. Many youth are involving themselves in vices that are slowly eating away the potential in them. We need to strike a balance between age and values," she says. Her dream is to see youth harness the awesome potential in them for both personal and societal growth. She shares her dream: "Five years from now, I want to inspire and create opportunities for others. I have a heart to prepare the children in primary and high school to be responsible citizens." When asked about her love life, she smiles shyly admitting that she is single and not currently dating. She however beams with hopes of settling down with a man who complements her. She says: "With the hard work I do, I will need someone to assure me of his love at the end of the day."When she is not rubbing shoulders with powerful politicians along the corridors of power, or marching in the streets, Susan, a born again Christian, listens to gospel music, travels and loves to cook.&#12288;

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