From "At-Risk" to "Aspiring" Youth: Locating Positive Youth Development in Kenya

The youth population bulge in Kenya comes with s o many challenges such as p overty, gender inequalities, political inequities, the absence of adequate health and medical resources, low educational attainment, homelessness, increased involvement in violence, drugs, and alcohol, poor physical and mental health, a lack of key life skills, premature sexual involvement. Using inductive or "bottom up" thematic analysis, we explored experiences of the youth aged 18-34 (n=36), youth workers (n=26) and administrators of youth programs (n=22) on existing youth development programs and their alignment to the positive youth development principles. Six key findings from the study sufficed as follows: (1) the mismatch between education and job skills: a degree without skills and talent is meaningless; (2) promoting youth development through creative arts and talent development programs; (3) leveraging on entrepreneurship to curb socioeconomic barriers of the youth; (4) empowering youth: navigating reproductive and sexual health; (5) navigating psycho-social challenges and fostering youth empowerment; and (6)overcoming political tribalism and strengthening youth services. We illustrate existing PYD programs, their shortcomings and alignment to PYD. Implications for PYD research, policy and practice are discussed.