TURKANA – The County Government of Turkana is exploring ways to increase youth participation in development activities through a partnership with Corps Africa Kenya.
During a meeting between the two institutions, officials discussed ways of involving young people through activities such as volunteer work.
Corps Africa Kenya Deputy Country Director Thomas Mogaka said the programme aims to connect skilled young people with opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the development plans of both the county and national governments.
Programme Coordinator Ekodi Nicholas said the organisation’s approach is meant to strengthen community ownership by making sure development projects respond to the needs and priorities identified by local communities.
Deputy Director for Gender and Youth Affairs Linus Ekidor welcomed the engagement. He said partnerships that give young people practical skills and opportunities to take part in meaningful activities can support government development programmes.
“Collaboration with organisations that bring new ideas, technical expertise and opportunities for our young people can strengthen the county’s efforts in addressing the needs of its communities,” Ekidor said.
Faith Akiru, representing Turkana Development Trust, also stressed the importance of partnerships that put communities at the centre of development and provide meaningful opportunities for local youth to help find solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
For Turkana, the proposed partnership comes at a time when the county continues to look for new ways to empower young people, promote economic inclusion and strengthen community resilience.
The engagement shows that development is not only about financial investment. Knowledge, skills and youth volunteerism can also play an important role in creating development solutions owned by local communities.
The Sector Working Group is expected to continue discussions with Corps Africa Kenya to identify practical areas of cooperation that support the county’s development priorities.
The discussions are based on the idea that young people are not only beneficiaries of development, but can also be skilled partners and drivers of change in their communities.
Those present at the meeting included George Ndege (NDMA), Virginia Ekeno (Empowering Youth Era), Emal Carlos and AlanyNarot (Sedat Kenya), Dennis Saizi (County Economist), and Samson Ekamais (County Partnership), among other county government officials.
