Nairobi, Kenya 9 October 2025 — The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in partnership with the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, has officially launched a sensitisation initiative ahead of its upcoming Targeted Review on Youth Issues in Kenya, reaffirming its commitment to putting young people at the heart of governance and development across the continent.
The sensitisation meeting, held in Nairobi, brought together youth representatives, government officials, civil society, academia, and faith-based organisations to review and refine the tools and methodologies that will guide the nationwide review.
“Youth issues cut across all six APRM thematic areas, and their voices must be central to governance reforms,” said the Director of Programmes at NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, speaking on behalf of the CEO.
The Targeted Review is a specialised assessment introduced by the APRM to deepen analysis on priority governance concerns. Kenya’s review will focus specifically on youth-related challenges and opportunities, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its vision of an Africa driven by its people, especially the youth.
Presenting an overview of the process, Mr. Germain Tshinu, Country Coordinator at the APRM Continental Secretariat, outlined the review’s scope, methodology, and expected outcomes. He stressed that the approach will be highly participatory, involving surveys, interviews, and community engagements across the country.
Mr. Peter Katwesige, also from the APRM Secretariat, introduced the Youth Toolkit that will be deployed during the field mission. The toolkit is designed to capture the diverse realities of Kenyan youth, including those from marginalised and underrepresented communities.
Participants called for an extension of the review timeline to ensure thorough coverage across Kenya’s vast landscape and stressed the need for inclusive outreach at national, county, and grassroots levels. They also recommended engaging youth networks, universities, and faith-based institutions to build broad-based support and awareness.
Key takeaways from the meeting included:
- The need to strengthen partnerships with universities, media, and community institutions;
- Calls to extend the review timeframe for comprehensive national coverage;
- Greater coordination with national and county-level governments;
- Inclusion of youth policymakers in refining the review tools; and
- A proposal to host a youth side event during the upcoming 35th APR Forum Summit in February 2026 in Addis Ababa.
The APRM Secretariat welcomed the recommendations and reiterated its dedication to ensuring the review reflects the priorities and perspectives of Kenya’s youth. “This review is about listening, learning, and acting. Kenya's youth are both beneficiaries of governance as well as co-creators of the future we are building,” said Mr. Tshinu.
The APRM Targeted Review Field Mission in Kenya is expected to begin later this year, with findings to be presented at the continental level in 2026.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact the APRM Continental Secretariat at info@aprm-au.org.
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