The Youth Devolution Festival 2025 entered its second day today at the Masai Technical Training Institute (MTTI) in Kajiado County, focusing on climate change, unemployment and artificial intelligence (AI).
The three-day festival, running from October 1 to 3, has brought together over 1000 youths from all 47 counties, alongside innovators, policymakers and development partners. The event is themed Harnessing Devolution through Youth Empowerment, Innovation and Job Creation for Economic Growth.
Today’s sessions will be centred on climate change, highlighting its impact on pastoralist regions like Kajiado, which face droughts, land degradation and water shortages. Youth groups are showcasing adaptation projects such as renewable energy and sustainable farming to demonstrate how counties can support resilience.
The second focus will be unemployment, one of Kenya’s most pressing youth challenges. Discussions will point to barriers like limited market access and underfunded enterprise programs. Counties are being urged to expand opportunities through vocational training, agribusiness and youth funds. Exhibitions at the venue are also displaying start-ups and SACCO innovations.
The third theme will be artificial intelligence (AI), placing technology at the centre of youth engagement. Workshops will demonstrate AI’s use in agriculture, digital finance and county services, while also raising concerns about risks such as digital exclusion and ethics. Participants are calling for investment in digital infrastructure and training in rural areas.
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Key leaders attending include Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Principal Secretary (PS) for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs and Janet Sereu, Kajiado County Executive for Education and Vocational Training. Their presence signals both county and national commitment to youth empowerment through devolution.
The event features exhibitions, innovation pitches and public forums, giving youth a platform in county planning. Organizers say the festival will produce a communiqué outlining proposals on jobs, digital growth and climate resilience.
The festival will close tomorrow with a ceremony bringing together county leaders, national representatives and youth innovators to review outcomes and chart the way forward.
By Benedict Aoya
