MESSAGE

TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF KENYA ON WORLD YOUTH DAY

By His Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., President and Commander- in Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya
We are marking the World Youth Day in a world, continent, region and nation that has changed tremendously over the over the past few decades. The most notable of this change is the demographic inversion characterised by young people becoming dominant majorities in our populations. This has led to fear as experts predict socio-political pressures arising from economies not being able to handle the large numbers of young people. For us in the Jubilee Government, the glass is definitely half full, not half empty. We see in our many young people the greatest reservoir of talent, skill and energy ever witnessed in our history. In our young people lies the opportunity to unleash creativity, innovation and imagination on a vast scale, thereby transforming this country for good.

This is not to say that we are unaware of the difficulties that young people are confronted with. Growing up in a rapidly changing world exerts tremendous pressures on young people. You comprise the generation that has lived through the greatest social, political, intellectual, scientific and technological transformations in modern history. Coping with the demands of your time has made you more resilient, innovative and globally savvy than your older counterparts, but has also exposed you to the hazards of modern life: crime, drug abuse, and moral corruption. I am aware that finding employment after completion of studies has become difficult. Opportunities for self advancement in entrepreneurship have stagnated, if not shrunk. Talent has not had the official attention or the market that it ought to have to realise the dreams of many. Too many young people are chasing after too few opportunities. This makes it easy to be frustrated and disillusioned. However, that should not be an excuse for any young person to throw their life away in crime, drug use and reckless lifestyles. Yet there is reason to hope. Our economy is coming together steadily in a promising way. We are now regionally integrated and increasingly competitive globally.

We have programmes to put up infrastructure and expand the economy while continuing to develop, recognise and reward talent and skill in young people. With all these initiatives come opportunities for young people to advance themselves and actualise their potential. The devolved system of governance also has space for the youth to play a role in national development. My Government has placed emphasis on creating opportunities for the youth in formal employment, entrepreneurship, sports and in the arts. We are intent on providing the environment for young people to meaningfully contribute to national development. I hope that as we speak, those young people with interests in entrepreneurship are preparing to take advantage of the Uwezo Fund, which is the Jubilee Coalition's vehicle to deliver one of its pledges to the youth. I ask all the young people of Kenya today, therefore, to strategize and focus on going forward to represent their generation in the great enterprise of Nation Building. Your country values all of you, and expects much from you. The Government stands with the youth of Kenya as they evaluate the prospect of national prosperity. On behalf of all Kenyans, I wish all of you a meaningful World Youth Day.