– Margaret Mead
About Us
Who We Are
The Youth congress is a youth serving Non-Governmental Organization founded in 2007 to provide young people in Kenya with a platform to articulate their issues, explore opportunities for youth participation and leadership to effectively address their interest and concerns and engage young people in social, economic and political processes.
It was founded in the run up to 2007 general elections in Kenya as part of efforts by youth to seek development and emancipation through political accountability. Just before the election the youth of Kasarani Constituency in Nairobi led by Miss Koch Initiative steered the constituents in developing the Kasarani Peoples Manifesto which parliamentary and civic candidates had to sign as a show of their commitment to work with the constituents in realizing real development through accountability. Subsequent event led to the formation and consolidation of the Kasarani Youth Congress that expanded to The Youth Congress, which has evolved and currently works in a number of counties across the country.
Our Vision
An inclusive society in which the youth enjoy all right and apply their agency.
Our Mission
To provide a platform for the youth to improve their status and realize their full potential.
Core Values
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Direction based on internal principals and organs and not external manipulative or self-seeking forces.
-
Honesty in all undertaking.
-
Reliance on the intrinsic motivation of members rather than the promise of pecuniary and material benefits.
-
Responsibility for action taken, openness and proper management of resources and processes.
-
Responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and quality in delivery of promises and undertaking.
-
Commonality in purpose and maximization of collective strength by the youth regardless of individual differences.
-
Determination and passion in all pursuits.
-
Respect for all regardless of gender natural ,political, social, cultural, economic or other distinction.
-
Innovation, pro-activity, adaptation and flexibility context of work.
Strategic Objectives
a) Meaningful participation Of youth in policy making and implementation.
b) Meaningful youth participation in leadership and governance process.
c) An empowered youth population benefiting from available opportunities and utilizing skills and talent for economic development.
d) An effectively governed and managed organization with adequate resources to deliver its program.
The Secretariat
Raphael Obonyo Public Policy and Youth Specialist, Diplomat, Author and speaker
Raphael Obonyo is a multi award winning youth advocate at the national, regional and international levels. He is the author of “Conversations about the Youth in Kenya”. He is the co-founder of a number of community and youth-led initiatives including the Youth Congress, a premier youth-led organization in Kenya. He has extensive knowledge and experience in public policy, international development, political economy, governance and human rights. Mr Obonyo is the 2016 Best Communicator in Kenya – by Daily Nation. In 2016 he was named one of the UN Persons of the Year. Also, he received the 2016 Utumushi Bora – Exemplary Leadership Award for his contribution to mentor-ship and peoples empowerment. He holds a Masters in Public Policy from Duke University. He is an adjunct professor at Brandeis University where he teaches International Youth Policy. He is a Ford Foundation Fellow.
Henry Ogola Programme Coordinator
Henry is a Management Consultant. His areas of interest include Governance, Human Rights and Social Justice. Henry has wealth of experience in research and youth development work. He is an advocate for youth Emancipation, Leadership and Participation. He hold Advance Certificate in Business Management and Diploma in Management- Project Management from The Kenya Institute of Management and pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi. He is the Co-founder and Co-Convener of The Youth Congress.
Halima Hanii Program Officer – Youth Economic Development
Halima is a program officer in charge of Youth Economic Development, she is a vital link to our community, networking with youth from various organizations and representing The Youth Congress community events. She is a well-known personality within the Kassarani Constituency and has a vast network within Nairobi and other counties. She has served on groups such as Kenya Network of Women Living with HIV/Aid (KENWA), Miss Koch, Child line Kenya and SOS Youth Center, heading up programs and acting as a peer educator / trainer.
Christine Osongo Finance Manager
Christine has over 7 years of active experience in Finance, Accounting and Administration. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and also a member of Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK). She has worked Miss Koch Kenya, Malaika Foundation and also Actionaid International.
The Advisory Council
Caren Wakoli Chairperson
Caren is a Kenyan young woman with a quest to see Article 1 of the Universal Declaration Human Rights becoming real in the lives of all Kenyans; where all Kenyans live in dignity and have access to secure livelihoods. She has a Masters degree in International Studies from University of Nairobi and a Bachelors degree in Communication and Sociology from the same University. She is also an Oakseed Leadership Executive Fellow from the Institute for National Transformation. Caren was one of the longest serving student leaders having served in the union for three consecutive terms; starting off as Congress-lady, Gender affairs secretary and finished off as the Vice chair of the Union. She remained outstanding in her service to the university community and this earned her the title of read more
Dr. Steve Ouma
Dr. Steve Ouma is the current Executive Director of Pamoja Trust. From 2003 to August 2007, Dr. Ouma was the Programmes Coordinator and Deputy Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission. He serves on the boards of two leading national human rights and social justice organizations in Kenya: Center for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Hakijamii), and Center for Minority Rights (CEMIRID). Dr. Steve is the strategic advisor to the Labor Awareness and Resource Center (LARC) in Kenya. He has made significant contributions in human rights and social justice work in East Africa as a political advocate, manager and an academic, and has wide-ranging interest read more
Joseph Kimani
Joseph Kimani has served as a program officer at Pamoja Trust and the Projects Manager with MUST- Kenya Muungano Support Trust an affiliate of Slum Dwellers International (SDI). He holds a Master in Community Economic Development from Chuo Kikuu Huria Cha Tanzania. He has also served as a member of the Release Political Prisoners Trust and Served the Steering Council of RPP for 3 years from (2004- May 2007) as the Movement’s Treasurer. The organization is now known as Rights Protection and Promotion Trust- RPP-Trust and has over 65 registered Members. He is also a member of Mtetezi-Mapambano Mashinani.
Dr. Emma Njoki
Njoki Wamai holds a BSc. from the University of Nairobi and a Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development (Distinction) from the same University. She holds a MA in Conflict, Security and Development from Kings College London. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Studies. She was a Women, Peace and Security Fellow of the CSDG in 2008/2009 where she researched on Eastern Africa Security Challenges and the relevance of the current security architecture in the region. She has written and published on Security Council Resolution 1325 in Liberia, Women’s Participation in Mediation Processes and Natural Resources and Conflict in Kenya. She was appointed read more
Beverlyn Mademba
Beverly is an Objective driven, principled centered lady, committed to excellence and efficiency. She strongly believes in team work, in service and in leadership. She also seeks to advance herself, by continuous education and constant challenging of her ability, by taking on new projects. Her wish is to give back to the society through research aimed at finding feasible and evidence based solutions for the health burden brought on by disease; and by contributing to the empowerment of the marginalized and vulnerable people, through human rights related interventions. Beverly’s career objectives are to work in fields calling for ideals of excellence, total dedication, read more
Inganga Mbiji
Inganga Mbiji is a renowned Youth leader with expertise in gender and many years of experience as a champion of Gender related issues. Mbiji has worked with various organizations including League of Kenya Women Voters on equality, human rights and social justice through research, trainings and empowerment.
Who We Are
The Youth congress is a youth serving Non-Governmental Organization founded in 2007 to provide young people in Kenya with a platform to articulate their issues, explore opportunities for youth participation and leadership to effectively address their interest and concerns and engage young people in social, economic and political processes.
It was founded in the run up to 2007 general elections in Kenya as part of efforts by youth to seek development and emancipation through political accountability. Just before the election the youth of Kasarani Constituency in Nairobi led by Miss Koch Initiative steered the constituents in developing the Kasarani Peoples Manifesto which parliamentary and civic candidates had to sign as a show of their commitment to work with the constituents in realizing real development through accountability. Subsequent event led to the formation and consolidation of the Kasarani Youth Congress that expanded to The Youth Congress, which has evolved and currently works in a number of counties across the country.
Our Vision
An inclusive society in which the youth enjoy all right and apply their agency.
Our Mission
To provide a platform for the youth to improve their status and realize their full potential.
Core Values
-
Direction based on internal principals and organs and not external manipulative or self-seeking forces.
-
Honesty in all undertaking.
-
Reliance on the intrinsic motivation of members rather than the promise of pecuniary and material benefits.
-
Responsibility for action taken, openness and proper management of resources and processes.
-
Responsiveness, effectiveness, efficiency and quality in delivery of promises and undertaking.
-
Commonality in purpose and maximization of collective strength by the youth regardless of individual differences.
-
Determination and passion in all pursuits.
-
Respect for all regardless of gender natural ,political, social, cultural, economic or other distinction.
-
Innovation, pro-activity, adaptation and flexibility context of work.
Strategic Objectives
a) Meaningful participation Of youth in policy making and implementation.
b) Meaningful youth participation in leadership and governance process.
c) An empowered youth population benefiting from available opportunities and utilizing skills and talent for economic development.
d) An effectively governed and managed organization with adequate resources to deliver its program.
The Secretariat
Raphael Obonyo
Public Policy and Youth Specialist, Diplomat, Author and speaker
Raphael Obonyo is a multi award winningread more
Henry Ogola
Programme Coordinator
Henry is a Management Consultant. His areas read more
Halima Hanii
Program Officer – Youth Economic Development
Halima is a program officer in charge read more
Christine Osongo
Finance Manager
Christine has over 7 years of active experience in Finance, Accounting andread more
The Advisory Council
Caren Wakoli
Chairperson
Caren is a Kenyan young woman with read more
Dr. Steve Ouma
Dr. Steve Ouma is the current Executive read more
Joseph Kimani
Joseph Kimani has served as a program read more
Dr. Emma Njoki
Njoki Wamai holds a BSc. from the read more
Beverlyn Mademba
Beverly is an Objective driven, principled centeredread more
Inganga Mbiji
Inganga Mbiji is a renowned Youth leaderread more
Programme
OUR PROGRAMME
1. Policy and Research
Problem Statement: In Kenya youth remain absent in policy and decision making process, and many are not aware of the existing policies that concerns and affect them. Majority of youth are not able to access information that will ensure meaningful participation in policy and decision making. This means that youth issues are not adequately addressed. Additionally, absence of comprehensive data on the condition of youth in the country makes it hard for youth organisations and other key actors, includin the government, to effectively address challenges affecting the youth. As a result, youth groups and organisations are not able to effectively advocate for young people’s interest.
Strategic Objective: Meaningful participation of youth in policy making and implementation.
2. Youth and Leadership
Exclusion from leadership and governance in Kenya has over the years, subjected youth to manipulations and socio-economic and political hardship leading to desperation and vulnerability. Absence of better and safe environment for youth leadership development makes it hard to grow visionary youth leaders. Youth are not trained in critical thinking and ethical leadership, civic engagement and are not prepared with the skills needed to become better leaders. Young people need mentorship and guidance to improve their leadership capability.
Strategic Objective: Meaningful youth participation in leadership and governance process.
3. Youth Entrepreneurship, Talent and Innovation
Youth unemployment is a major challenge in Kenya. This has been contributed by many factors major among them the mismatch between the education system and the labour market. Many youths are thus to be found eking out a living in the informal sector or continue to depend on their parents for upkeep. The frustration and the inability to engage in productive work result on some of them in destructive activities and substance abuse. This calls for agent action to tap into the energy, skills and talents for their economic development.
Strategic Objective: An empowered youth population benefiting from available opportunities and utilising skills and talent for economic development.
4. Institutional Development
The Youth Congress celebrates its 10 years of existence with this Strategic Plan. That it has survived the years attest to it resilience and relevance. However, it still has a long way to go in terms of institutional maturity. In the next period, it will consolidate gains on governance, management, programme coordination, human resource, communication and networking as it continues to position itself as the premier youth organisation in the country.
Strategic Objective: An effectively governed and managed organisation with adequate resources to deliver its programme.
