Aimed at empowering young people in peacebuilding and governance is currently underway at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.
This initiative is a significant step in translating the global framework of the UN Resolution 2250, adopted in 2015, into a national strategy that reflects Kenya’s unique context.
Judy Kimamo, Country Director at Search for Common Ground, highlighted the central role of youth in the process. “We know that young people in Kenya form a very large demographic, and they are central to the growth, peace, and cohesion that we so much desire in our nation. The Youth, Peace, and Security National Action Plan becomes our working point and agenda to realize the aspirations of young people here in Kenya.”
Ensuring young people are meaningfully included in political processes and conversations about governance.
The workshop, which runs from March 18th to 21st, 2025, brings together youth leaders, government officials, and representatives from both regional and international organizations to craft Kenya’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS).
Recognizing the importance of safeguarding young people from being used as tools for unrest, while also protecting their rights as outlined by UN Resolution 2250.
Fostering collaboration between youth and other sectors, such as government and the private sector, to build sustainable peace.
The workshop also aims to position young Kenyans as key stakeholders in creating peace and driving national cohesion.
Supporting the reintegration of youth who have been affected by conflict, particularly those in borderlines or high-risk areas, through disengagement and disarmament processes.
Working with government bodies like the National Youth Service and civil society groups such as the National Coalition for Youth to strengthen youth capacities and ensure their voices are heard.
Kimamo emphasized the importance of youth as partners in peacebuilding, stating, “We should work with young people as partners. Rather than labeling them as troublemakers, we should see them as essential contributors to peace and security.”
Kenya’s NAP on YPS will join six other national action plans in Africa, marking a significant step toward regional and global youth engagement in peace efforts. The plan is expected to be rolled out within the next two years, with key initiatives already taking place at national, county, and grassroots levels.
The workshop’s participants, including state actors like the State Department for Youth, the National Youth Council, and civil society organizations, are committed to ensuring that the action plan aligns with the needs and aspirations of Kenya’s youth.
Online platforms and modern AI tools will be used to gather input from young people across the country, ensuring their voices shape the final plan.As the workshop continues, hopes are high that this collaborative effort will lay the foundation for a peaceful, youth-driven future in Kenya.
Leading the conversation was Betty Soita, Director of the State Department for Youth Affairs, who emphasized the transformative role young people must play in shaping a peaceful and inclusive future.
With the backdrop of recent youth-driven protests in Kenya and the global momentum set by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which formally recognized the essential role of youth in peace and security, Soita’s remarks encapsulated a deep sense of urgency. “Kenya, like many nations in the region, has a youthful population,” she noted.
“Our young people are not just beneficiaries of peace efforts but active agents in driving sustainable development, economic progress, and social cohesion.”The director began by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Finland for funding the workshop and ongoing events related to the development of the NAP, as well as to the Kenya Coalition on Youth Peace and Security for their ongoing advocacy.
Her message was clear: the government cannot succeed alone—partnerships with civil society, regional bodies, international organizations, and the private sector are key to achieving lasting peace.Soita’s remarks also resonated with a recognition of the power and voice of Kenya’s Gen Z population.
She acknowledged how the recent youth-led protests called attention to deep-rooted issues of social justice, economic exclusion, and the lack of meaningful youth participation in governance. “We must channel this energy into constructive dialogue and policy reforms that promote peace and stability,” she urged.
The workshop, which brought together key stakeholders, was a testament to Kenya’s commitment to advancing the Youth Peace and Security agenda. Soita reflected on Kenya’s participation in the 2023 High-Level Ministerial Conference on YPS in Burundi, which provided valuable lessons for shaping Kenya’s future efforts. Among these were the importance of mainstreaming youth-focused policies, resourcing youth-led initiatives, and addressing the structural causes of conflict.
The resolutions from the UN, including UNSCR 2250 and its successors, served as guiding principles throughout the workshop.
Soita emphasized the need for inclusive youth representation in conflict prevention, calling for greater institutionalized consultation between youth and policymakers.Kenya’s ongoing effort to develop its National Action Plan on YPS holds promise, according to Soita. “As a government, we recognize the urgent need to implement these recommendations.
That is why we have been working towards developing Kenya’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security to serve as a blueprint for integrating young people into peacebuilding and security efforts.” The challenges are multifaceted, as Kenya grapples with issues such as unemployment, radicalization, and violence, which disproportionately affect its young population.
Yet the solutions, as Soita articulated, lie in collective action: from enhancing legal protections and building youth capacity to creating meaningful employment opportunities that deter youth from engaging in conflict.One of the workshop’s key goals was to accelerate the development of the NAP YPS, ensuring youth inclusion in decision-making processes.
Soita challenged the participants to not just discuss solutions but to move toward action. “Let us be bold in our ambitions, strategic in our partnerships, and relentless in our pursuit of peace.”The workshop closed with a collective call to action for all stakeholders.
Soita urged government agencies to integrate youth-responsive policies, regional bodies to enhance cooperation on youth security matters, and the private sector to create opportunities for young people.
The media, she said, has a role to play in amplifying positive youth narratives and countering disinformation.In her final words, Soita left the participants with a powerful message:
“The future of our country and region depends on how well we invest in our youth today. By equipping them with the right skills, opportunities, and platforms, we are not only securing peace but also fostering inclusive development and prosperity for all.”
As the workshop continues, it promises to be a milestone event that not only accelerates the development of Kenya’s NAP YPS but also reaffirms the central role of youth in shaping a more peaceful, secure, and inclusive future.
