International Youth Day: Efforts Made but There are Still Gaps

Ah, International Youth Day! A time when the future leaders of tomorrow gather, bursting with enthusiasm, ideas, and—apparently—a touch of controversy. This year’s event at Vihiga Boys High School was a hit, or so it seemed. The theme? “Food Systems: Youth Innovations for Planetary and Human Health.” Sounds promising, right? A mix of planetary health, human health, and innovative youth. What could go wrong?

Well, as it turns out, quite a bit or maybe nothing at all.

Let’s start with the attendees list. In theory, this event was all about empowering the youth. In practice, though? Some say it felt more like a reunion of the political inner circle’s favorite nephews and nieces. Rumor has it that the only criterion for getting an invite was knowing someone who knows someone who once shook hands with some guy at the directorate but I beg to disagree. I know no man in power but si I was there, let that rest! Most of those that missed the event were angrily streaming the event on Facebook or YouTube. My guys have you even seen the comments down there?

And while we’re on the topic of comments, some of the banter online hasn’t been too kind. Critics have taken to the digital streets, questioning whether the event really tackled youth issues with the kind of contextual approach it promised. Was it a genuine effort to engage with the grassroots, or just another showcase of politically curated youth? It’s like throwing a party but only inviting your cousins—everyone else watches through the window, wondering why the music sounds better from the outside.

Speaking of music, the noise got louder when whispers turned to shouts about the money. And this has been an issue for times over and again. A whopping 10 million shillings was allegedly funneled into this event—or so some folks with an eye for drama would have you believe. The truth? A much humbler 500,000 shillings or something thereabouts was what actually made it out of the County Government’s coffers, a measly sum to say the least. But who needs facts when you’ve got a good scandal?

But wait, there’s more! Enter the Vihiga Youth Service Board, who apparently decided that receipts were overrated. Critics were quick to point out that the board’s engagement with the event was...well, “partial and non-evidenced” might be putting it lightly. Youthful enthusiasm was matched only by the mystery of where the money went.

The takeaway? If you’re going to throw a youth event, maybe consider ditching the old-school cash payments. After all, most attendees are pre-identified and have their details on file. Why not just go cashless? I hear M-Pesa and other financial institutions have scheduled payments right? Tuma leo zitaingia kesho! That way, nobody has to play Sherlock Holmes with the finances afterward.

At the end of the day, what this event really highlighted was the need to bring the conversation down to the grassroots—literally. Let the youth host these events themselves, with genuine outreach and support. Because the real innovation happens when the youth are given the tools, the trust, and yes, the funds, to create something of their own. And maybe next time, we’ll all be invited to the party.

Unwarranted Disclaimer: No political favors were exchanged in the writing of this blog. We promise.

About Author: Kevin Makova