National Youth Council to be overhauled

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Ababu Namwamba views art piece by YMCA central youth branch Tito Kiprono(right) and Zephania Mbatia(2ndright) during the International youth day (IYD) 2023 celebrations August 11, 2023 [David Gichuru, Standard]

There is need to overhaul the National Youth Council, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has said.

He said the process will align the council with its vision and for the young people.

Namwamba made the remarks on Friday during International Youth Day in an event attended by youths from across the country, at the Kenya cultural center.

"We have instituted a process that will drastically overhaul the structure of the National Youth Council to become truly representative of the voice and the will of the youth of Kenya," Namwamba said.

Namwamba told the staff at the Ministry of youth affairs, arts and Sports that it was no longer business as usual.

He warned those who cannot keep up with the pace that they will be given lighter duties.

Namwamba announced that the ministry has invested Sh267 million in the school talent ecosystems.

This is aimed at formalizing, structuring and monetizing from the source of the talent pipelines.

"The music festivals that we have just opened in Nyeri this morning, the ball games going on in Kakamega, people are wondering how are these ball games being played on a scale never seen before; because we have pumped in 267 million from this ministry," he said.

This year's event is themed "Green skills for youth: Towards a sustainable World"

The event witnessed the official launch of "Begreen Africa" and the inauguration of engaging Kenyan youth in Agriculture and Nutrition (EKYAN). This is a collaboration initiative between UNICEF and the Kenyan Government.

The initiative is aimed at empowering the youth to create a sustainable future for Kenya.