By Collins Masinde Masika, Youth Advocate
A wave of frustration and deep concern is washing over the youth of Bungoma County.
We, the young people who represent a vibrant and significant portion of our population, are witnessing a disturbing disconnect between the promises enshrined in our Kenyan Constitution and the actions – or rather, the inaction – of our elected and appointed leaders.
Specifically, the glaring lack of gender-responsive planning, budgeting, and execution within the youth department, the county assembly representatives, the budget committee, and the committee on youth at the assembly is not only disheartening but a blatant disregard for our fundamental rights and needs.
The Constitution of Kenya clearly outlines the principles of equality and non-discrimination, yet when we scrutinize the budgetary allocations and developmental priorities in Bungoma, a starkly different picture emerges.
It is deeply troubling to observe a consistent failure to intentionally address the diverse needs of all young people, regardless of their gender. Where is the recognition that youth development is not a monolithic concept?
Where is the understanding that young women and men often face distinct challenges and require tailored support?
The Bungoma County Youth Policy 2023, a document painstakingly crafted and passed by our own assembly, lies dormant, gathering dust.
Its operationalization is being held hostage by the absence of an enabling Act and accompanying regulations.
This delay is not merely bureaucratic; it is a deliberate sidelining of the very framework designed to empower and uplift the youth of this county.
The recent discussions surrounding the County Fiscal Strategy Paper for FY 2025/2026 have delivered a particularly stinging blow.
To witness a proposed budget with a zero allocation for the youth, disabilities, and women empowerment fund is frankly shocking and indefensible.
The justifications offered are flimsy and fail to acknowledge the immense potential and pressing needs within these demographics.
It seems the prevailing notion within our county government is that youth development in Bungoma equates solely to sports.
While we acknowledge the importance of sports, the disproportionate allocation of resources towards often incomplete stadium constructions and a high-altitude training center, at the expense of other crucial youth initiatives, is a gross misrepresentation of our aspirations.
Are we to believe that the diverse talents, entrepreneurial spirit, and intellectual capacity of Bungoma’s youth can be confined to the sports arena?
As a youth advocate, I can no longer stand by silently while our potential is ignored and our voices are muted. My call to the rest of the youth population in Bungoma is clear: it is time to stand up and be counted.
We must demand that youth programming becomes truly gender-responsive, delivering direct and sustainable results that benefit all young people.
We must move beyond passively accepting whatBungoma’s Youth Cry Out: Where Is The Gender-Responsive Action We Deserve?
By Collins Masinde Masika, Youth Advocate
A wave of frustration and deep concern is washing over the youth of Bungoma County.
We, the young people who represent a vibrant and significant portion of our population, are witnessing a disturbing disconnect between the promises enshrined in our Kenyan Constitution and the actions – or rather, the inaction – of our elected and appointed leaders.
Specifically, the glaring lack of gender-responsive planning, budgeting, and execution within the youth department, the county assembly representatives, the budget committee, and the committee on youth at the assembly is not only disheartening but a blatant disregard for our fundamental rights and needs.
The Constitution of Kenya clearly outlines the principles of equality and non-discrimination, yet when we scrutinize the budgetary allocations and developmental priorities in Bungoma, a starkly different picture emerges.
It is deeply troubling to observe a consistent failure to intentionally address the diverse needs of all young people, regardless of their gender. Where is the recognition that youth development is not a monolithic concept?
Where is the understanding that young women and men often face distinct challenges and require tailored support?
The Bungoma County Youth Policy 2023, a document painstakingly crafted and passed by our own assembly, lies dormant, gathering dust.
Its operationalization is being held hostage by the absence of an enabling Act and accompanying regulations.
This delay is not merely bureaucratic; it is a deliberate sidelining of the very framework designed to empower and uplift the youth of this county.
The recent discussions surrounding the County Fiscal Strategy Paper for FY 2025/2026 have delivered a particularly stinging blow.
To witness a proposed budget with a zero allocation for the youth, disabilities, and women empowerment fund is frankly shocking and indefensible.
The justifications offered are flimsy and fail to acknowledge the immense potential and pressing needs within these demographics.
It seems the prevailing notion within our county government is that youth development in Bungoma equates solely to sports.
While we acknowledge the importance of sports, the disproportionate allocation of resources towards often incomplete stadium constructions and a high-altitude training center, at the expense of other crucial youth initiatives, is a gross misrepresentation of our aspirations.
Are we to believe that the diverse talents, entrepreneurial spirit, and intellectual capacity of Bungoma’s youth can be confined to the sports arena?
As a youth advocate, I can no longer stand by silently while our potential is ignored and our voices are muted. My call to the rest of the youth population in Bungoma is clear: it is time to stand up and be counted.
We must demand that youth programming becomes truly gender-responsive, delivering direct and sustainable results that benefit all young people.
We must move beyond passively accepting what is offered and actively engage in the governance processes that shape our futures. We must become active citizens, understanding our needs, articulating our demands, and holding our leaders accountable.
Following the wind of fleeting promises is no longer an option. We, the youth of Bungoma, deserve a seat at the table, a voice in the decisions that affect us, and a tangible commitment to our holistic development. The time for change is now. Let our collective voice be heard. is offered and actively engage in the governance processes that shape our futures. We must become active citizens, understanding our needs, articulating our demands, and holding our leaders accountable.
Following the wind of fleeting promises is no longer an option. We, the youth of Bungoma, deserve a seat at the table, a voice in the decisions that affect us, and a tangible commitment to our holistic development. The time for change is now. Let our collective voice be heard.
