The Alice Ng’ang’a (MP, Thika Town) led Committee on Social Protection conducted a vetting session for two key nominees expected to shape the future of Kenya’s youth and children if approved as Principal Secretaries.
CPA Achieng Ageng’o, nominee for the State Department for Children Welfare Services, told the MPs the urgent need to strengthen Kenya’s child protection systems and tackle harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
She proposed the use of locally produced films as a powerful tool for awareness-raising, alongside widespread civic education efforts to shift societal attitudes. Members expressed concern about the practicality and urgency of her strategies, questioning how her plans would address systemic failures in real time.
Ageng’o assured members of her readiness. She cited her negotiation skills, broad networks, and experience mobilizing resources as strengths that would help address long-standing challenges in the sector.
‘’If appointed, I vow to push for full child registration to ensure every child’s access to essential services like healthcare and education.’’
The Committee raised concerns around persistent issues such as child neglect, underfunded rescue centers and delays in disbursing child welfare funds.
In response, she outlined a collaborative approach involving partnerships with the Ministry of Interior, county governments, and civil society to close the protection gaps and build a system that truly works for every child.
Mr. Fikirini Jacobs Katoi Kahindi, nominee for Principal Secretary in the State Department for Youth Affairs & Creative Economy was challenged to provide practical solutions to persistent issues including youth unemployment, underfunding of the creative sector, and the limited policy support for grassroots innovation.
“I would guarantee a much safer Kenya by investing in the young women and men who are the actual future of this country,” he said.
He added, “The youth are not just a demographic. They are a force of ideas, innovation, and resilience. We must stop looking at them as a risk and begin to recognize them as a resource.”
Drawing from his current role as Director in the Governor’s Delivery Unit in Kilifi County, Fikirini gave examples of policy interventions that have already produced results. One such initiative involved guiding the county Government to have bodaboda operators stop remitting fees to the County and instead channel their earnings into savings and investment through SACCOs. He stated that the model continues to strengthen their financial independence and collective bargaining power.
“We must incorporate the youth in matters affecting the youth. If I am given the chance to serve as Principal Secretary, I will ensure young people are involved from the start. They must have a seat at the table when decisions are being made, when policies are being designed, and when programmes are being rolled out.”
Fikirini echoed digital literacy as a non-negotiable pillar in youth empowerment and pledged to promote intellectual property protection for young innovators, ensuring that creative ideas are safeguarded and supported from concept to market.
He proposed the establishment of county-level innovation hubs and formal talent incubation centers, noting that “Kenya’s creative economy is rich but underdeveloped not because we lack talent, but because we haven’t formalized it. We need laws, structures and funding models that treat the creative sector as a legitimate economic driver.”
Fikirini spoke highly on the crucial need to recognize prior learning, especially for youth with hands-on skills acquired outside the traditional academic system.
“Think of the last time you took your car to the garage. Did you ask the mechanic to show you his or her papers? Probably not. That is exactly why we must recognize and certify the skills our young people already have. We’re losing opportunities both locally and abroad because our youth can’t prove what they know, even though they can do the job better than anyone.”
“We have young people trained by life, by the ocean, by the community and by experience who could be working on cruise ships, running hotels, or managing creative festivals. They are held back because they lack certification. I would champion a policy framework that ensures prior learning is acknowledged, certified and supported.”
The Committee is expected to table its report on both nominees before the House on Tuesday, April 8, 2025