State Department for Investment Promotion Engages County Student Leaders in Dialogue on Youth Empowerment and Opportunities
April 11, 2025 — NSSF Building, Nairobi
The Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Investment Promotion today held an interactive forum with representatives from the Association of County Student Association Presidents-Kenya (ASCAP-K). The association comprises 94 student leaders and their deputies, representing institutions in all 47 counties.
The forum, hosted at the State Department’s headquarters, focused on addressing pressing youth issues, with the central theme being: What the government is doing to support young people and how the youth can access these opportunities.
In his opening remarks, the Principal Secretary emphasized the government's recognition of the critical role the youth play in shaping the country’s development agenda. He provided a detailed overview of various government initiatives aimed at empowering young people through employment creation, skills development and enterprise support.
Among the key outcomes of the engagement was the PS’s pledge of 10 attachment opportunities at the State Department, available immediately for students from the association. These placements are designed to offer practical, hands-on experience in public service to enhance the employability of young people.
The PS also walked the student leaders through how different ministries, departments and agencies coordinate to deliver services, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency collaboration in driving inclusive development.
A notable highlight of the session was an introduction to the upcoming “Vijana TuInvest” project, a youth investment literacy initiative to be spearheaded by the Kenya Investment Authority. The programme aims to equip young people with knowledge on how to identify and participate in investment opportunities, including those available through government-supported frameworks.
Discussions also focused on how to effectively cascade information on youth programs to the grassroots level, ensuring that young people in every county are not only informed but actively involved in national development conversations.
By the end of the forum, student leaders expressed appreciation for the department’s warm reception and open dialogue, noting their satisfaction with the responses and commitments shared by the Principal Secretary.
The forum reflects the State Department for Investment Promotion’s broader commitment to youth inclusion and its proactive approach to engaging young leaders in shaping policy conversations and national priorities.