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"content": "Census data. I am sure that this percentage will go up. So, we are talking of a very big population in this country. So, if we make the process very consultative and inclusive, the majority of Kenyans will be consulted in this regard. Moving on to Part II of the Bill, Clause 4 highlights the functions of the Council. There are so many well-intended functions that could see the youth of this country being brought on board, with respect to development issues. I want to start with Clause 4A, which provides that the Council will be involved with the registration of youth groups and youthâocussed, community-based organisations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is going to be a very big move from the past, because as it is at the moment, this function is being performed by the Social Services Department at the district level, which has been dogged by a lot of problems. That Department is even under a different Ministry, rather than the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This is a very important function, because the registration of youth groups and youth-focussed community-based organisations by this Council will bring the youth of this country together. I would like its regulations, to ensure that we avoid what we see being done at the moment. We have to regulate the membership of these youth groups, because at the moment, there is no limit. The minimum number of persons to be registered as a youth group is seven, but there is no maximum upper limit. This has not been essential in the management of youth groups, and with respect to the trickle-down effect. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you have over 50 youths in one group, the funds provided through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) and other resources may not make a big impact. So, it is good to regulate the membership of youth groups in terms of the minimum number as well as the upper limit. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also wish to see that within those groups, the age limit is specified for you to be in those groups. This is because we have had a lot of middle men who use those groups and give the name of âyouthâ. If you look at them it is only the chairman, the secretary and the treasurer who are really in the category of youth. The entire membership is made up of old men and women. This will not benefit the youth groups. What has become a problem is the type of groups which are there; whether you have mixed or single gender youth groups on the ground. I think it is important for the Ministry to consider that as well as they form these youth groups on the ground because mixed and single gender groups have got both their pros and cons. This should be discussed in detail by the council that will manage all this. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, another function under Clause 4(b) is the issue of mobilizing resources to support and fund youth programmes and initiatives. I would like to see us also funding individual youth initiatives rather than just focusing on the group initiatives. We have so many talented individual youth. When we focus only on the bigger groups, it may not really make an impact and may not give those individual youth space to exercise and exploit their potential. Even as we mobilize resources, let us focus on individual talent. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just about two, three weeks ago, this House had the privilege to be in a two-day workshop with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). Those of us who attended, we had very good representation of the youth because KEPSA has got governors. One of their governors was a youth representing the Jua Kali or"
}