On the 10th of August 2024, KELIN joined the Youth in Mombasa County in marking the International Youth Day 2024 themed “Embracing Talents; Youth for Improved Human and Planetary Health.” The event convened over 250 local youth residents of Changamwe, Jomvu sub counties and Mombasa at large at Changamwe Social Hall.
The day’s highlight was artistic competitions amongst adolescents and youth including singing, spoken word, dancing and rap categories. The themed art centered on SGBV, access to youth friendly SRHR services and maternal care for young mothers. The event also featured a consultative panel discussion moderated by Ms. Rebecca Achieng and which comprised of a youth representative Ms. Francisca Akoth Ogeto, the Changamwe & Jomvu sub counties’ Ministry of Health Adolescent and Young Persons Coordinator- Ms. Mucky Ahmed Hussein, Mikindani Health Centre Facility in Charge Eudia Obondi, 2 representatives from The Amplifiers Youth Organization CBO, Ms. Ann Maina and Mr. Geooffrey Kithuku, and a Program Officer from KELIN, Ms. Elsie Milimu. The panel explored the lived realities of young people when accessing SRHR information, services and commodities, particularly how youth friendly the services are and what measures the Ministry of Health had put in place to facilitate the same. KELIN’s representative in her remarks emphasized the need for the youth, who make up 60% of the national population, to seize the current momentum and opportunity driven by social media in advocating for changes and seeking greater accountability for access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) information, services and commodities.
The festivities were graced by the presence of notable figures including Hon. Omar Mwinyi (Member of Parliament, Changamwe Constituency) and Hon. Ogutu Bernard Ochieng (Member of Mombasa County Assembly, Changamwe Ward).Hon. Mwinyi implored the youth to engage in public participation to ensure that their voice is included in policies and laws made, to take part in the Mombasa County Training of Trainers for Youth as ambassadors of climate change and of his office’s opportunity for 70% tertiary education scholarship at various TVETs including the Bandari Maritime College. Hon. Ogutu who also serves as the Chair of the Mombasa County Health Committee appreciated the Youth led organizations for the collective voice captured in a Memorandum addressed to the Mombasa County Assembly with key recommendations to advance SRHR for youth in the County. Hon. Ogutu asked that the CSOs present be available to directly address the Assembly on the recommendations in the memo when called upon.
KELIN remains strongly committed to advancing health rights for all indiscriminately and looks forward to engaging the Mombasa County Assembly on the recommendations in the memo thereof.
To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platform via @KELINKenya.
For more information please contact,
Elsie Milimu,
Program Officer- SRHR,
Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV/AIDS (KELIN), Email: elsiemilimu@kelinkenya.org
