Young people have been called upon to harness their energy, strength, and sheer numbers to transform lives and shape their future as Kenya joined the world in marking World Population Day.
The call was the rallying message during celebrations held Friday at St. Mary’s Legion Maria Church in Daraja Mbili, Kisumu West Sub-county, where stakeholders emphasized empowering youth as a cornerstone to tackling social and economic challenges.
Speaking at the event, Beatrice Odongo, the Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Culture, Arts, Gender, and Youth Affairs, reiterated the global theme of this year’s observance, stressing the importance of helping young people make informed choices for a better tomorrow.
“This is a day to recognize that the youth population is significantly larger than that of adults. We are urging young people to use their strength and numbers to transform their lives, be it through business, employment, or supporting fellow youth in this digital era,” said Odongo.
Her sentiments were echoed by Josephine Marani, an official from the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), who noted that Kenya, especially Kisumu County, has a predominantly young population. She called for structured interventions to keep youth meaningfully engaged.
“Our country and this county are youthful. A huge segment of the population is between ages 0 to 34. We must invest in education and create economic opportunities that will keep this demographic fully engaged and productive,” she said.
George Orude, Kisumu County Director of Youth Affairs, advocated for a national mindset shift among youth. He emphasized the importance of programs like ‘Mindset Education’, which aim to help young people focus on opportunities around them rather than waiting for limited government jobs.
Orude highlighted the government’s rollout of the Nyota Programme, a youth-targeted initiative under the National Youths Transformative Agenda. The program is currently engaging 18,000 youths in Kisumu aged 18 to 29, offering training, mentorship, and business sponsorships.
“We urge youth to visit the Nyota website and take advantage of this opportunity. The government cannot employ everyone, but it can create avenues for entrepreneurship and innovation,” Orude added.
Adding to the discussion, Victor Elvis, Director of Nyalenda Young Turks CBO, emphasized the need for safe spaces where youth can raise concerns without fear. He praised the day’s conversations that centered on governance, economic empowerment, and youth participation.
“We’re glad to have youth-led organizations pushing for spaces where young people can speak on their issues. This event gave us a platform to engage with key stakeholders, from the county government to civil society, on what’s needed to support our peers,” Elvis noted.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo brought a spiritual perspective to the day, referencing the Bible’s Genesis 1:28, which calls on humanity to be fruitful and multiply. He noted that the scriptures, including the Book of Numbers and 2 Samuel 24, show that population issues have biblical roots.
“This day is within God’s plan and also a human responsibility. Kisumu has a projected population of 1.5 million, with 76.9% aged 0–34, according to the 2019 census. That’s a call to action,” he said.
Leparmorijo also commended Kisumu youths for steering clear of recent Gen Z protests, revealing that outsiders had reached out to inquire how the county maintained calm.
“We’re proud of our youth for their maturity. Moving forward, we’re putting more effort into addressing early pregnancies and child marriages, which continue to threaten our future,” he added.
As Kenya continues to grapple with youth unemployment, social challenges, and population pressure, stakeholders in Kisumu are optimistic that with the right mindset, structures, and support, young people can be at the forefront of national transformation.
