Young leaders and stakeholders in Kisumu have called for stronger community action to address insecurity, political intolerance, youth involvement in violence and sexual and gender-based violence.
The Commission’s Kisumu Regional Office participated in the Youth Civic Engagement Forum and Festival convened by the Youth, Arts, Development and Entrepreneurship Network at the Mama Grace Onyango Social and Cultural Centre.
Discussions also addressed organised criminal activity, technology-facilitated gender-based violence and the role of responsible media and social media use in promoting peace.
Participants recommended stronger community peace structures, expanded Amani Clubs in schools, improved community policing, early warning and early response systems, and greater inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised groups in peacebuilding.
The forum reinforced a central message: youth participation in governance and community development must extend beyond being recipients of programmes to being active participants in shaping solutions.
