In March 1997 the Youth Agenda organized and convened the first National Youth Convention. Over 300 participants in the youth constituency convened from all walks of life and drawn from all parts of the country. They convened to chart the way forward on myriad problems they experienced and to lay a foundation and ensure full participation of youth on matters related to social, economic and political development. The phenomenal turn in history of Kenya was graced and witnessed by religious leaders, political parties, civil society, professional organizations, diplomatic community and youth representatives from the neighboring countries, some who made very powerful presentations to enrich the youth agenda.

The participants agreed to shed off the past history which showed the role of youth confined to being foot soldiers, stone throwers, tent pitchers and brief case carriers. Instead, they would take concerted efforts and fight for their space in the state decision making organs and participate in policy formulation. Key challenges facing youth identified were as follows; unemployment, underemployment, disease, low literacy, and crime. The main thematic areas from which special recommendations emanated from were as follows:

Health and Social Matters; Education; Culture; Political; Trade and Entrepreneurship; Young professional and employed; Unemployed and underemployed.