Nyeri: Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the resolutions from the Nyeri Youth Summit 2025, describing them as the most viable pathway to empowering young people in the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kahiga, speaking at a review meeting to assess progress since the summit held on December 10, 2025, said the outcomes remain relevant and actionable. He noted that their full implementation would benefit both the youth and the wider community.
The meeting, held at Albai Lodges in Kirinyaga County, brought together county officials, youth representatives, and development partners to evaluate milestones achieved and chart the way forward. Kahiga described the summit as a defining moment that awakened young people to their potential and positioned them as active partners in development.
Kahiga revisited the seven thematic sittings, known as kikaos, which formed the backbone of the summit and provided a platform for young people to interact with government officials and development partners. The thematic areas included health and wellbeing, education and skills development, arts and creative economy, ICT and innovation, agriculture and agribusiness, climate action, and leadership and governance.
According to Kahiga, the kikaos enabled youth to articulate their ideas, fears, and aspirations, while also proposing practical solutions to challenges affecting their socio-economic progress. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the success built together matures into a lasting legacy for the people of Nyeri.
The Governor added that the handover of the summit resolutions to his office signified a major milestone towards strengthening public service delivery and ensuring that youth-led initiatives are implemented by capable and accountable actors. He lauded the planners, sponsors, and more than 2,000 young participants, describing the process as a true reflection of the philosophy 'By Youth, With Youth, For Youth.'
During the meeting, Kahiga commended stakeholders for crafting resolutions that would inform the development of a comprehensive youth policy. He stressed the need to remain faithful to the ideals of the Youth Summit, which he described as an effective avenue for empowering young people and steering them away from poverty and social exclusion.
Among the key objectives of the 2025 Youth Summit were providing a platform for dialogue between youth, government, and stakeholders, as well as building capacity in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Kahiga pledged his personal commitment to driving the summit agenda forward, with both the county government and development partners ready to support the realisation of the resolutions.
Kahiga announced plans to seek approval from the County Assembly to increase funding for future Youth Summits from the current Sh3.5 million. He noted that enhanced funding would allow the event to run for at least three days instead of two, enabling more young people to participate and benefit from mentorship, networking, and skills-building opportunities.
During last year's summit, Kahiga challenged youth to embrace innovation and creativity, warning that unemployment would persist unless young people took initiative and explored self-driven solutions. He urged youth to actively seek opportunities, engage potential employers, approach financial institutions for start-up capital, and market their skills globally.
The Governor explained that the idea behind institutionalising an annual Youth Summit was to create a broader platform where young people could interact with employers, financiers, and development partners to forge mutually beneficial partnerships.