Governance determines who has power, who makes decisions, how other players make their voices heard and how account is rendered. Good governance articulates key attributes in structures and processes that are designed to ensure accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity and inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation. Successful YAK governance program has to ensure that not only is the voice of young people heard but that they are involved in and benefit from all mechanisms, processes and systems that promote good governance at local, national and international levels.
The government of Kenya has ratified and domesticated international and continental instruments on youth agenda by putting in place various legal, institutional and policy frameworks with the aim of optimizing the contribution of the youth to sustainable development. Some of the legal frameworks include the World Programme of Action for Youth[1] (1995); the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (2017); the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth[2] (2015); United Nations Security Council resolution 2250[3]; and the African Youth Charter[4] among others. Legal and policy frameworks in the domestic front include the Kenya Constitution 2010; the National Youth Policy – 2007; the National Youth Council Act – 2009; National Youth Volunteerism Strategy; Affirmative Action Funds; Access to Government Procurement Opportunities – AGPO 2013; Marshall Plan in Youth Employment and Development – 2008; the Kenya Vision 2030; and the Kenya Youth Development Policy – KYDP 2018. YAK will through its advocacy work, follow up on the implementation of these policies for the benefit of young people.
YAK seeks to strengthen its authority, role and visibility in setting, prioritizing and influencing relevant policy changes. YAK will take actions to increase its visibility in policy spaces and engagement in governance processes by establishing strategic partnerships that add greatest value to youth development. YAK will strengthen data collection efforts with a view to providing a sound evidence base for the various policy interventions regarding youth development. YAK will strengthen and work Member Organisations (working groups) on matters of policy, social accountability, constitutional processes, budgeting processes.
