Between 2009 and 2012 there is going to e a defining moment in the history of Kenya. We want to make NYC and the National Youth Movement part of that history. Young people will change Kenya. We call upon you to join forces with other progressive Kenyans that are ready to take this great nation to greatest heights. WE the YOUTH MUST change the status quo.

Thousands of young people are speaking the same voice on the need for CHANGE. As we set out to roll down the national youth movement, you are called upon to be part of the making of history by giving all Kenyans a real opportunity for change. Now it’s time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. The National Youth Convention has evolved since 1997.

NYC I 1979
NYC II 1998

Impact

• Young people are more, in proportion and absolute figures
• Increased civic awareness
• Increased political engagement by young people
• The NYC II produced Political leaders like Hon. J. Mwalulu, Hon. C. Mbarire, Hon. A. Bahari, G. Mogire
• Higher degree of organization
• Sharper and crisp agenda

NYC I and NYC II recommended to see the following accomplished for Kenya

• A Ministry of Youth
• A Comprehensive Youth Policy
• A National Youth Council
• Free Primary education
• Youth Enterprise fund
• 150 young members of parliament
• More responsive institutions of governance

However,

• Young people are not adequately represented in decision-making
• Many young people are still in the periphery of socio-political and economic spheres
• Youth still being ravaged by poverty
• Wallowing in unemployment
• Youth seeking greater space in political leadership

NYC III 2007

In 2008, the 4th NYC brought together 1300 delegates who passed very powerful resolutions aimed at uniting Kenya. The NYC leadership has been actively recruiting and engaging young people on issues as resolved at the convention. The 14 resolutions delved in areas of governance and the leadership crisis, institutionalizing the national youth movement to address the plight of the youth in Kenya, checking government spending through an active budget making and tracking of 40% and 60% of the budget allocated to recurrent and development priorities respectively, Peace building, national reconciliation and cohesion. The Implementation is on course through partnerships and other initiatives.

The achievements thus far from the fourth convention include:

• A very active discussion forum tackling various national issues moderated on http://groups.google.com/group/nyciv with 1200 members and growing.
• The youth have been engaged in the budget campaign for a development conscious budget of 60% Development and 40% recurrent.
• Through the Partnership for Change 90 of our members have been trained on leadership and accountability as constituency leaders.
• A group of young leaders currently undergoing the Political Leadership Development Programme through the Youth Agenda.
• Key Leaders have been consulting on the vision as envisaged in the Agenda 2020 vision which is a youth led initiative to empower young people into political and other developmental spheres of leadership by the year 2020.
• A forum on vision 2030 consultations held on how young people can harness opportunities as provided for in the vision and how to engage with the process.
• Four Intra-ethnic dialogue forums have been held in Coast, Rift Valley, Central and Nyanza Provinces.
• Two town hall meetings held in Eastleigh Nairobi to champion for the rights of the community members who have lost their businesses to private developers.
• One constitutional dialogue round table meeting held to consolidate the youth voices in the new constitution. A Youth memorandum has been presented to the committee of experts on the Constitution review process.
• One learning and experience sharing forum held for the youth to showcase their best social enterprises and link with development partners.
• One grand debate on elective student leadership held at the University of Nairobi.
• One national inter ethnic dialogue Forum
• One Youth town hall meeting held to educate the youth in the matters of contention in the new constitution process based on various memoranda presented by youth organizations attended by members of the Committee of Experts.
• One Town Hall Accountability Forum on the Youth Fund and the Kazi Kwa Vijana.

We have reached that moment of making sure that we do not ever again TRUST the Leadership of this great nation to people who will betray our independence.

TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW!