Issue Statement

Young people in Kenya have inadequate abilities and opportunities to make their voices heard and accounted for in relevant policies. The constitution of Kenya (CoK2010) guarantees social, economic, and political rights and freedoms, and has expanded democratic spaces through a devolved governance system. The Kenyan government has responded to these responsibilities by enacting laws and policies: Access to information Act 2016; Data Protection Act 2019; ICT Policy 2019 and Public Participation Bill 2018; Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO); Youth enterprise and Uwezo funds. Nevertheless, these efforts have failed in tackling the many socio-economic issues plaguing Kenya’s young people, because civil society and government reformers have had inadequate accountability mechanisms, capacities, and coordination of reform efforts.

First, Kenya’s transition to a devolved governance system has been derailed by, among other factors, weak oversight and accountability from local civil society groups and legislative assemblies. These institutions have inadequately utilized audit reports to hold county government executive officials accountable, allowing corruption and misappropriation of public resources to thrive.

Second, young people, especially those from indigenous communities, low income families, and those who are persons with disabilities, have limited access to media and secure platforms to channel their voices to policy-making institutions. They also lack the knowledge to critically assess and filter truths, half-truths, and outright misinformation in the mainstream media regarding political promises made by government and political leaders.

Third, social justice advocates and government reforms often work in isolation, and thus advocacy efforts are uncoordinated, while resources (technical and financial) are thinly stretched. By working in isolation, civil society and social justice advocates are exposed to risks and have less impact in fighting corruption and countering the closing civic space.

Project Summary

We are working on four complementary interventions to build the power of young Kenyans to impact government policies, uphold their rights, and fight against corruption and the closing civic space.

First, we are developing a clear county transparency and accountability rating using data from audit reports and policy frameworks of two key economic empowerment programs: Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) and Enterprise funds (Youth and Uwezo Fund). Focus is to be given to the resilience of procurement systems and AGPO in turbulent times through analysis of government interventions to COVID-19 crisis. This will provide accessible accountability information and media content on policies most relevant to young people.

Second, we are deepening media coverage on government devolution and Public Finance Management (PFM) issues affecting young people, by building enhanced critical thinking skills of young people and increasing their access to media opportunities through secure digital platforms and innovations.

Third, we will assess the state of coalitions and potential of governance reform organizations (state and non-state actors) working together to synergize and leverage available resources for greater impact on county transparency initiatives.

Fourth, following our COVID-19 Policy, we launched Lockdown Live— a series of webinars aimed at strengthening the meaningful engagement with the youth, amplifying their voice and actions in supporting expansion of civic spaces and advancing civic engagement.

Our Anticipated Outcomes

1. Validated and published study report on baseline trends of closing civic space for county governments, including best practices for transparency and reducing corruption as well as the state of collective action among governance reformers.

2. Photo contest generates new media coverage of government transparency and accountability.

3. 40 young citizen journalists build greater capacity to effectively cover governance reforms. 

4. At least three county assemblies debate a motion on audit reports, to tighten the mechanisms for increased transparency and accountability of public funds.

5. At least 40 government reformers are trained in best practices of participatory governance and given concrete tools for reform.

Project partners

Our two other partners for the project are Open Governance Institute and Global Participatory Budgeting Hub. Each partner brings unique experience, expertise and networks that elevate the fight against corruption, promote transparent and accountable use of public resources.

About Ford Foundation

They believe in the inherent dignity of all people. But around the world, too many people are excluded from the political, economic, and social institutions that shape their lives. Across eight decades, their mission has sought to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. Learn more about their mission, their values and culture, and how they approach our work.

About The Youth Café

The Youth Café is a not-for-profit pan-African youth organization founded in Kenya in 2012 and officially registered in 2014. Since our founding, our strategy has always been to look at today's youth bulge as an opportunity for development and economic growth. This is why we are seen as the lead organization for implementing multidisciplinary and multi-perspective projects including Peace and Security, Preventing Violent Extremism; Governance and Political Inclusion (Remittances and Accountability); Culture, Arts, and Sports; Education and Skills; Business, Job Creation and Entrepreneurship, Universal Health Coverage, Environmental Preservation and Climate Change. We aim to model, inform, and advance youth-led approaches to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, social equity, democratic governance, and economic viability by utilizing innovative research, media, policy, advocacy, as well as cross-cultural and intergenerational partnerships. To date, we have reached 1.6 million young people across Africa.

Context and bases for the establishment for The Youth Café: Young people make up the bulk of Africa’s total population with an estimated 75% of the continent’s population below the age of 35. From a demographic point of view, this calls for a paradigm shift towards the recognition and support of the youth to harness their potential to foster community resilience, propose innovative solutions, drive social progress, influence youth empowerment and inspire political change. Young people are a tremendous and essential asset worth investing in. We hope to open the door to an unparalleled multiplier effect as our message spreads.

To learn more about The Youth Café and the Fight Against Corruption and the Closing Civic Spaces, contact us.