Lobbyists tell counties to invest in reproductive health of young people

Civil Society Organizations have asked counties to prioritize the reproductive health of young people saying it is a basic concern.

Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Monday Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa NAYA executive director Victor Rasugu asked counties to ensure that they fully involve young people in all budget-making processes at all levels.

Rasugu further added that public participation is a constitutional requirement urging counties to ensure the concerns of young people are keyed in during budget-making processes.

“There is a need for counties to critically look into the issues of young people. Their issue should be addressed during public participation gatherings.

Dream Achievers Youth Organization reproductive health Officer Gaetano Muganda says most young people within the county have no access to youth-friendly services citing the inadequacy of the facilities.

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“It is even difficult for us to get a copy of the county fiscal strategy paper. This to me raises the question of integrity,” Muganda noted.

He insists that there is a need for the county government to ensure the needs of young people are factored in during budget-making processes.

Muganda adds that youth-friendly facilities are inadequate and cannot suffice the needs of young people within the county.

“The county was to put up a youth-friendly centre at Ziwa la Ng’ombe but that one is still pending. As we speak YFCs are not sufficient,” said Muganda.

At the same time, Robbert Aseda asked the county government to further invest in the health of young people by increasing the number of youth-friendly facilities.

“It is the mandate of the county government to ensure that all views are taken into consideration during public participation. However the challenge has always been that young people are normally left out in this process,” said Aseda.

He said the organisation is working closely with other lobby groups within the county to ensure the needs of young people are factored in the county budget-making processes.

At the same time, Kadzandani Creative Youth Organisation executive director Omar Chai laments over what he claims is the county leaving out young people during the budget-making processes.

“During public participation politics normally dominate. Most of the youths’ demands are not keyed in during public participation gatherings,” said Chai.

He urged the county to allocate more resources to reproductive health.

Concerning the surge of juvenile gangs in some parts of Mombasa County, Chai accused parents on claims of forfeiting their parental obligations.

He further rubbished claims that the security apparatus has failed to add “we cannot always blame security agents. We have a responsibility to ensure that we all co-exist peacefully amongst us,”

The forum was organised by Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa NAYA, a non-governmental organisation based in Nairobi in partnership with Mombasa based youth organizations.