By Wajir Today Reporter

Wajir Peace and Development Agency on Saturday hosted a youth dialogue forum in Wajir town, bringing together youth representatives to deliberate on governance and citizen participation.

The event aimed to empower youth voices in public decision-making and promote inclusive governance practices at the local level.

Participants explored ways to strengthen accountability, civic engagement, and the role of young people in shaping policy.

The one-day dialogue, held under the Strengthen Agency for Social Accountability (SASA) programme and funded by Swedish development organisation ForumCiv, focused on advancing inclusive governance

Participants engaged in discussions centered on the role of youth in promoting transparency, amplifying community voices, and holding public institutions accountable.

Wajir Peace and Development Agency noted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to empower citizens to actively shape public policy and demand better service delivery.

According to agency officials, the forum is a critical step toward ensuring that the governance process is not only transparent but also responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.

The agency working with partners including African Social Development Focus (ASDEF), Wajir Community Radio, Wajir County Government and Wajir County Social Auditors is building the capacity of local youths to raise their voices.

“We have brought together youth to advance citizen participation in issues to do with governance” said Mr. Abdinoor Omar, Programme Officer at Wajir Peace and Development Agency.

The forum also addressed the challenges local youths are facing as part of an important segment of the community, including cross-cutting social-economic setbacks that undermine their involvement in civic matters.

Youth have raised issues that hinder their empowerment and civic participation including widespread unemployment, poor leadership, corruption and discrimination against minority groups in the county.

The deaf community in Wajir represented by their youthful chairman Mohamed Abdikadir raised concerns about widespread discrimination against their members.

The deaf community are also raising alarm about systematic obstacles they face in accessing government services, lack of employment opportunities and other county resources such as bursary and development funds.

“We are facing discrimination in the county.” said Mr. Abdikadir “We are not given employment opportunities at the county and our members are suffering.

Youths have also taken issue with longlist of unfulfilled preelection pledges where local leaders have failed to execute their manifestos undermining the principles of good governance.

“One of the challenges we are facing in the county include unfulfilled development promises” Says Ahamed Adow Barre a local youth

Misuse of power and negative impact of negotiated democracy has also been cited as part of a longlist of bottlenecks to advancing good governance in the county.

Participants also deliberated on the issue of low and inadequate youth involvement in public participation across Wajir, emphasising the need for full and active engagement of young people in civic affairs and decision-making processes.

“When youth don’t come to the table where issues are discussed they will miss a lot. It is important that the youth get involved in each and every public participation forum especially in issues involving bills and legislation” Hassan Abdi Omar, the Regional Coordinator for Kenya National Commission on Human Rights told the forum

A call has been made urging the youth in the county to actively engage in public participation forums, with the aim of promoting and strengthening local governance.

“Youth form an important segment of the society, their involvement in governance is very crucial”. They have a big responsibility to play. If you become a bystander nobody will bring you to the decision-making table” added Mr. Omar

The forum concluded with a commitment from Wajir youth to actively participate in governance matters, pledging to contribute to the development and well-being of local communities in the county.