Q&A
Q: What inspired you to become a youth leader?
A: Growing up in Kibera, I saw young people being misused during campaigns, girls dropping out of school, and crime driven by unemployment. I couldn’t ignore it. I chose to act.
Q: How did SHOFCO change your journey?
A: SUN gave me the platform to organize, train, and advocate. One proud moment was pushing for a bill to redirect the Road Levy into irrigation. That’s youth shaping policy!
Q: What’s your focus as a SUN leader today?
A: Mobilizing youth, financial literacy training, civic education, and mentorship. I also help youth register for IDs and participate in public forums.
Q: What impact have you seen?
A: Youth I’ve trained now run businesses and employ others. In Gatwekera, we even fixed a broken bridge by organizing through SUN.
Q: What challenges do you face?
A: Unemployment, drug abuse, and sometimes political tension. We need structures—like advisory boards—to sustain this work.
Q: How have you grown personally?
A: Before, I couldn’t face leaders. Now I sit in boardrooms, advocate confidently, and represent youth at national forums.
Q: What’s your message to Kenya’s youth?
A: We are 70% of the population. We can’t be sidelined. Let’s demand inclusion, build businesses, and shape policies. Our time is now
Evance Obuya
Location: Saragombe, Nairobi
Focus: Advocating, Entrepreneurship
Goal: Reduce Unemployment
By reducing the unemployment rate, we also address the issue of drug and substance abuse, which in turn helps to reduce crime in the area. We have also supported many young people by providing financial literacy training, and several have received loans to start their own businesses.
Goal: Remove Barriers to IDs
All youths having a government issued IDs enables them to select leaders. We collaborate with community-elected leaders, such as MCAs, MPs, and other government officials, to connect our people with the services available in these offices.
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Meet Our Youth Leaders
Every youth leader has a unique story. Explore the journeys of leaders like Netto, Daniel, and Sylvia—what drove them to act, the goals they set, and the change they’re leading.
