ELF-Africa, Makueni County Agree to Establish a County Youth Caucus

Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa and Makueni County have agreed to form a County Youth Caucus as an avenue for structured and more inclusive youth engagement in the economic and governance issues of their county. This caucus will also be a timely platform for the young people from County 017 to network amongst themselves and form mutual interest partnerships that will steer social-economic growth, community development and enhance accountability in the County.

As part of the nascent efforts of ELF-Africa’s Husika team in Makueni, they paid a courtesy call to select County officials. The Thursday 12^th August 2021 meeting saw the Husika team hold talks with the Acting County Youth Director, and the Clerk of the County Assembly of Makueni. In the meeting, the parties extensively discussed the recently passed Makueni County Youth Policy as well as other areas of future engagement between ELF-Africa and the County. The Acting Youth Director, Mr. Charles Muthoka and the Clerk of the County Assembly, Mr. Kevin Mutuku noted that on account of the good working relationship between the executive and the County Assembly, a total of 17 critical policies were passed in July, bringing the total number of policies passed by the County to 26.

Makueni County is one of the most progressive of the 47 devolved units, leading the way in an array of fields; from public participation to youth mainstreaming, and gender parity to local industrialisation. Just a month ago, the Kivutha Kibwana led government passed the County Youth Policy, only the second in the country after Vihiga County.

ELF-Africa’s Husika team in the county has consistently led advocacy drives in the county, a central role that partly contributed to the expedited passing of the County Youth Policy. As such this County Youth Caucus is viewed as a necessary initiative and ELF-Africa is happy to be on board and lend its expertise in establishing, structuring, mentoring, and guiding the caucus into a meaningful tool for the youth to be at the centre of decision making and key players in implementation of the different policies and development projects.

Representing ELF-Africa’s Husika team were Wavinya Nzioka, Winnie Mukosi, Sebastian Kilonzo and Oliver Ndolo, who committed to follow through and ensure the Youth Policy is adequately funded and fully implemented.

ELF-Africa remains committed to continuously equip young women and men in Makueni and other counties with relevant tools, knowledge, and linkages to enable them to become active citizens championing the interests of country and advance the tenets of pan-Africanism.