Published by Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Issue No.16, September 2013

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1 The FuturesBulletin Published by Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Issue No.16, September 2013 Opportunities for Youth to Engage in Devolved Governance and Economic Development in Kenya By Chrispine Oduor & Abraham Rugo Muriu Introduction Kenya s adoption of the devolved 2 system of governance as espoused in the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and the subsequent legislation aimed at entrenching devolution has been a long journey involving experimentation with various forms of decentralization. Previous attempts at decentralization 3 by successive governments have however not been able to realize the full benefits of citizen participation in governance. This may be attributed to, among other reasons, poor design of some of these frameworks and lack of political will. Poor participation by members of the public in some of these decentralization frameworks is evidenced in the low attendance of the Local Authority Service 1 With input from Veronica Nguti Delivery Action Plan (LASDAP) meetings where projects to be implemented through the Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) were being identified, and lack of or minimal public participation in monitoring the implementation of development projects being implemented at the local level through public funds such as LATF and the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF). Kenya s most substantive experience with devolution was through the now defunct local authorities which had little autonomy vis-àvis the central government (IEA, 2010). The devolved system of governance adopted by Kenya in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides citizens with numerous opportunities to meaningfully participate in governance right 2 Defined as the distribution of political, administrative and fiscal power to semi-autonomous territorial and sub-national units 3 Previous attempts involved transfer of administrative and fiscal powers only from the grass root level. Citizen participation in governance is also emphasized in the various legislations that have been enacted around devolution. It is only through meaningful engagement that the citizen can contribute towards the realization of the aspirations of devolution, which 2.0 Youth participation in devolved governance and economic development 3.0 Why youth do not participate in governance and economic development 4.0 Opportunities for youth to engage in Devolved Governance 5.0 Opportunities for youth engagement in Economic Development 6.0 Recommendations for Policy 7.0 Conclusion Inside

2 include, but is not limited to improved public service delivery and increased transparency and accountability by the duty bearers. 1. Youth participation in devolved governance and economic development The youth in Kenya (15-34 years) constitute 35.39% of the country s population. Those aged between 0 and 14 years constitute 42.92% of the population and those aged below 34 years constitute 78.31% of the country s population (IEA, 2010). Kenya s youth have remained at the periphery of the country s affairs for decades since independence and their needs and aspirations have not been accorded due recognition. The youth have not been adequately engaged in the designing, planning and implementation of programmes and policies that affect not only them but also the country at large, and as a result, their knowledge, skills and energy has been underutilized. Governments around the world are increasingly supporting youth ministries, youth policies and youth programmes, and there seems to be greater appreciation that young people are the future of their country s development. Kenya like many other developing countries however, still has a long way to go in realizing this potential amongst its youth. It is crucial that the newly established devolved governments engage the youth in governance and in making their development decisions, as this will ensure that policies formulated and services provided respond not only to the needs of youth but also to the citizen s real concerns. The youth in Kenya are one of the major assets for the newly established county governments as they can contribute immensely towards enhancing governance not only at the county but also the national level. The challenge however is upon young people to mobilize and organize themselves in order to meaningfully participate in governance. Leaders at both the national and county level can on their part ensure youth engagement by creating a conducive environment that allows for young people s participation. A positive development in the country has been the realization by the youth that they are significant agents in community, national and now county development and as a result, they have increasingly been engaging in development initiatives and re-shaping political processes in their constituencies and also at the national level, mainly through youth organizations. An aggressive youth discourse has emerged as a result of these concerted efforts re-configuring the social roles and responsibilities of young people in the country (IEA, 2010). 2. Why youth do not participate in governance and economic development Some of the reasons contributing to poor or lack of youth engagement in governance include:- Inadequate education and training that fail to prepare the youth adequately to participate in decision-making, hence denying them necessary analytical skills for critical thinking or problem-solving through participatory and active learning; Lack of direct access to institutional systems and structures within government, severely impedes youth ability to meaningfully contribute during the formulation of public policies and programs; Perception among the youth that their voice would not be heard; Lack of information on available avenues for participation in governance. This may include; information on policies, programs, where, when and how the young people may participate. Governance issue to be tackled may seem too big for the youth such that they opt not to engage. Also the issue being tackled may not be of interest to the youth. Youth might not see the need to engage due to lack of engagement or complacency by their peers. Belief among the youth that the government does not take them seriously. Belief among the youth that they may add no value to matters being handled. 2

3 3 3. Opportunities for youth to engage in Devolved Governance Some of the existing opportunities for the youth to engage in governance under the devolved system include: Seeking elective positions that have been provided in the constitution at both the national and county level of government. Some of these positions include but are not limited to governors, members of parliament, ward representatives and women representatives. Youth in such positions would then be able to contribute towards tailoring of government policies and programs through the senate, national assembly or even the county assemblies. Being in such positions also allows the youth to directly implement policies at the various levels. Engagement through the citizen fora to be established by residents of a city or county as proposed in the constitution and enacted in legislation, through organized groups such as the youth councils and youth organizations. The youth can use the fora to contribute proposals for inclusion in county and national policies, the annual budgets and estimates as well as development plans. Youth organizations engaging at the national level should establish networks with county based organizations so that grassroots input may be channeled into proposals to be made at the national level. The youth should seek participation in planning, budgeting and implementation of development at both levels0 of government as required by the constitution and legislation around devolution. Active participation by the youth in monitoring implementation of public funded development projects. The youth can mobilize pressure against corruption and rent seeking thus contributing towards ensuring transparency and accountability by duty bearers in the implementation of 4. development projects. Youth should take up a meaningful role in addressing relevant issues from the lowest level of governance through organized groups and existing forums. Participate in decision making that can lead to better outcomes for their lot as well as the community. Take advantage of existing devolved resources at the county level such as the Youth and Women Enterprise Development Funds to initiate development projects. The youth should also apply for tenders to provide goods and services for public functions. Youth should consider joining political parties and seeking positions in these parties so that they may have influence from within as opposed to being engaged by politicians during election time only. Youth can teach the community on various issues of importance such as legislations, government policies and programs, and make people participate in the processes that shape the society. The youth can participate in the vetting of officials offering themselves for leadership positions in their localities and also at the national level. This would ensure that only credible people of high integrity get elected into public offices, effectively denying corrupt and inefficient persons from taking up public offices. Opportunities for youth engagement in Economic Development The youth have two opportunities to engage in economic development. First as beneficiaries; Here their role is to ensure that they make use of all opportunities that economic development provides such as increased spaces for business, innovation and enterprise development. Secondly, the youth have an opportunity to drive economic development. This is where they innovate and deliver on ideas that facilitate development. Kenya s decision to devolve government creates the following opportunities.

4 A closer look of the devolved functions Devolved Function 1 Agriculture, including (a)crop and animal husbandry; (b) Livestock sale yards; (c) County abattoirs; (d) Plant and animal disease control; and (e) Fisheries 2 County health services including (a) County health facilities and pharmacies; (b) Ambulance services; (c) Promotion of primary health care; (d) Licensing and control of undertakings that sell food to the public; (e) Veterinary services (excluding regulation of the profession); (f) Cemeteries, funeral parlours, and crematoria; and (g) Refuse removal, refuse dumps, and solid waste disposal. 3 Control of air pollution, noise pollution, other public nuisances and outdoor advertising. 4 Cultural activities, public entertainment and public amenities, including (a) Betting, casinos and other forms of gambling; (b) Racing; (c) Liquor licensing; (d) Cinemas; (e) Video shows and hiring; (f) Libraries; (g) Museums; (h) Sports and cultural activities and facilities; and (i) County parks, beaches and recreation facilities. 5 County transport, including (a) County roads; (b) Street lighting; (c) Traffic and parking; (d) Public road transport; and (e) Ferries and harbours. Opportunities for the Youth to engage Engage in small scale and large scale agricultural production supported by among others the Youth Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund. Showcasing innovative technologies for green value addition in Agriculture. Managing ambulance services. Developing and replicating waste management programmes. Technology transfer for control of pollution. Outdoor channels. advertising using innovative Construction of sporting facilities and procument of sporting equipment Participating in sporting programmes Forming companies that manage sporting facilities and county parks, beaches and recreational facilities Design and cosntruction of efficient intergrated transport network Management of ferries and harbours 6 Animal control and welfare, including (a) Licensing of dogs; and (b) Facilities for the accommodation, care and burial of animals. 4

5 7 Trade development and regulation, including (a) Markets; (b)licenses (excluding regulation of professions); (c) Fair trading practices; (d) Local tourism; and (e) Cooperative societies. 8 County planning and development, including (a) Statistics; (b) Land survey and mapping; (c) Boundaries and fencing; (d) Housing; and (e) Electricity and gas reticulation and energy regulation. 9 Pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centres and childcare facilities. 10 Implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation, including (a) soil and water conservation; and (b) forestry. 11 County public works and services, including (a) storm water management systems in built-up areas; and (b) water and sanitation services. Packaging and marketing of innovations in local tourism products Showcase best practices in fair trading practices based on current technologies Establish cooperatives to support various initiatives Knowledge and technology transfer in large scale land survey and mapping Design and construction of low cost, energy saving and high quality housing Design and installation of integrated electricity and gas reticulation systems Opportunity to advance their skills for great economic engagement Knowledge and technology transfer in soil and water conservation systems Tree nurseries and planting Design and construction of large scale storm water management systems 12 Fire fighting services and disaster management. Management of Fire Fighting and Disaster equipment 5. Recommendations for Policy Both levels of government need to appreciate that young people have the idealism, resourcefulness, responsiveness and resilience in helping address the issues that affect the country and their counties. Issues to be considered by governments that will enable the realization of youth engagement in governance include:- Creating an environment that encourages youth participation and acknowledging the role of youth in public policy formulation, planning, implementation, decision-making and governance in general. Offering a range of activities and providing youth with meaningful opportunities to participate in governance as this is likely to encourage more young people s participation. This creates a critical mass to the youth engaged in all spheres of governance thereby enhancing governance. Opening up space for youth-led decision making within existing structures, systems and processes in governance. Develop a framework that supports youth participation in governance. Such a structure should match youth interests with the needs of the government and the interests of the youth 5

6 so that they may see the need and relevance of participating. Create and avail meaningful opportunities that are accessible to a broad diversity of youth to be able to make a difference. These opportunities will enable the youth have an impact on important issues in governance. Listen to youth voices and open strong lines of communication through which the youth may air their views and also contribute in governance. Promote and support youth leadership at various levels of governance. Involve the youth in executive decisions including but not limited to county planning and budgeting. Build youth mentorship partnerships to support engagement and ensure that that the youth capacity is enhanced, to enable them engage with experienced, older decision-makers in government and in their communities. 6. Conclusion The youth are able to raise genuine concerns about issues affecting the society and offer workable options and solutions to existing challenges. Youth engagement in governance should go beyond giving views to formal consultation and dialogue that can guide decisions and genuinely represent a body of opinion. The engagement should form part of a process where young people progress to greater responsibilities and move away from being targets of outreach to being actively engaged in the planning and implementation of development interventions 4. Such an engagement is likely to lead to a greater connection between planning and the realities of the county s population. 4 Move from what governments can do for its youth to youth contribution to their communities 6

7 References 1. Republic of Kenya Constitution of Kenya Government printers, Nairobi. 2. Republic of Kenya County Governments Act Government printers. Nairobi. 3. Republic of Kenya Urban Areas and Cities Act Government printers. Nairobi. 4. Institute of Economic Affairs Kenya Youth Fact Book. Elite Pre Press Limited, Nairobi. 5. IEA Kenya Youth Research Compendium. Ascent Limited. Nairobi. 6. IEA Kenya Research paper, Series No. 24: Devolution in Kenya: Prospects, Challenges and the Future. Ascent Limited, Nairobi. 7. Plan Does Young People Participation in Government make a Difference? United Kingdom. Retrieved, March 2013, from. friendly_summary_report.pdf. Policy Study and Issue Paper Series by the USAID Educational Quality Improvement Program Youth Councils an Effective way to Promote Youth Participation. Retrieved, 20 March 2013, from equip123.net/docs/e3-youthcouncils.pdf. 9. Youth Agenda Husika: A Youth Action Guide on Political Participation. Nairobi. 7

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