1. Youth in Kenya: Force for change, or lost generation? Prepared by Paul Francis with Nyambura Githagui For presentation at WB ESSD Week Session on ‘ Youth: Assets for Social and Economic Transformation ’ March 31, 2005

2. Overview Background Conceptual framework and methodology Situation of youth in Kenya Youth policies and programs Conclusions and recommendations of study Follow up: JSDF-supported work on inclusion, participation and empowerment of youth

3. Background 75% of Kenya ’ s population under 30; 8 million aged between 15 and 24; Their optimism and energy gives youth enormous potential to contribute to society. Challenge of growing up in a society where opportunity has been eroded by widespread institutional collapse and deformation.

4. Objectives of study Identify nature and scope of issues facing youth Examine risk and protective factors determining outcomes for youth Identify intervention points Assist Kenya Government in policy development Inform Bank ’ s operational programs

5. Conceptual framework and methodology ‘ Ecological ’ model of risk and protective factors developed and adapted with Kenya stakeholders Focus group discussion across Kenya Reanalysis of quantitative data Review of data and literature.

6. Situation of youth in Kenya (1) Education: –UPE, but secondary enrollment < 25% –Poor preparation for employment Employment: –Few opportunities: 60% of unemployed are under 30 y.o. (esp. women) –1.9 million working children (5-17 y.o.) Health –One in three AIDS cases among 15-30 y.o.; Prevalence varying from 1 to 24 % (higher for females), misconceptions about AIDS widespread. –Very poor mental health indicators (7% male and 10% females have attempted suicide; self-reported depression 7% women).

7. Situation of youth in Kenya (2) Crime, violence, substance abuse –Longstanding urban crime now accompanied by epidemic of rural crime, including extreme violence. –Driven by lack of hope or opportunity –More than 50% of convicted prisoners aged 16 - 25. –Youth perception of predatory behavior by police. Physical and sexual abuse –21% of 10-24 y.o. report abuse –42% of 15-19 y.o. women, 50% of 20-29 y.o. have experienced violence since aged 15 –20-30% women undergo FGM

8. Situation of youth in Kenya (3) Voice –Perception of marginalization and voicelessness in family, community and national political life. Youth living in slums: stratified disadvantage –Poor services (esp, housing and water); lower school enrollments; worse outcomes in terms of violence, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, morbidity, mortality. Young women: gendered disadvantage –Girls face early marriage, lower access to: education, employment opportunities, public space, information and social networks. –Violence and abuse; FGM; consequences of risky sexual behavior (HIV, school drop out due to pregnancy, unsafe abortions).

9. Youth policies and programs National Youth Policy Other relevant policies include: –National Population Policy, Information and Communication Technology Policy, Totally Integrated Quality Education and Training (TIQET) initiative. Implementation gap Non-governmental initiatives – fragmented, high unit cost, dependent on external funding Good coverage in some areas: e.g. sexual and reproductive health Few initiatives in other areas: e.g. youth crime and violence, youth voice

10. Conclusions and recommendations of study Main areas: –Education and Training –Employment and Entrepreneurship –Voice and inclusion –Crime and violence Subsidiary areas –Physical and sexual abuse –Mental health –Substance abuse –HIV/AIDS –Out-of school youth –Recreation and sports

11. Recommendations e.g.1: Education and training Problem: many youth being failed by limited access to, and relevance of, education system. Adapt vocational and technical training system to labor market Improve access to secondary education Create links between training institutes and industry Consider innovative ways of funding V&T training

12. Recommendations e.g.2: Youth voice and inclusion Problem: youth are marginalized and excluded from decision making. Implementation of Youth Policy and establishment of National Youth Council Support youth advocacy and leadership programs Create for a to showcase positive achievements of youth

13. Follow up: inclusion, participation and empowerment of youth –Scaling-up and replication of innovative programs for youth focused on livelihood and well-being –Promotion of accountability mechanisms linking youth/civil society organizations –Capacity building for youth organizations To be supported by $1.8 m JSDF grant

14. After thoughts Malaise of youth a reflection of the malaise of society Youth as an object of social engineering: fragmentation vs. holistic vision Youth concerns linked to structural conflict within the households and communities of which youth are a part What are the entry points for addressing a wide and deep rooted social and moral crisis? Re-empowering the family and community in an age of globalization? Need for a social debate: what kind of society to Kenyans aspire to live in?