MIDRIFT HURINET has lauded the role played by Youth Friendly Centres.
The NGO notes that these centres act safe spaces for young people to air out their issues and concerns, hence a reason to revitalize those that have been dormant.
According to MIDRIFT HURINET, the centers are key in matters youth-led advocacy.
This, even as the NGO in partnership with the County Government of Nakuru hosted a delegation from the GIZ Civil Peace Service (CPS) Program led by coordinator Endy Hagen at the Youth-Friendly Center located within Rhonda Maternity.
“This visit marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to operationalize and sustain this essential community facility,” stated MIDRIFT HURINET Executive Director Joseph Omondi.
It should be noted that the Rhonda Youth-Friendly Center was originally established between 2019 and 2020 and officially commissioned in 2021.
However, the Youth-Friendly Center had remained largely inactive due to operational and staffing challenges.
The NGO is However quick to note that there are now changes through the tireless advocacy of youth champions under the Peace, Accountability, and Community Empowerment (PACE) program—supported by GIZ,German International Cooperation (Civil Peace Servive Kenya ).
The has now been revived with renewed purpose and community ownership.
According to MIDRIFT HURINET, at the heart of this initiative is a simple yet powerful goal: to provide young people in Rhonda and Kaptembwo with a safe, inclusive space to access vital social and health services, build life skills, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
The revival of the center is a testament to the strength of youth voices when amplified through organized civic action.
Meanwhile, a petition submitted by the youth champions to the County Assembly of Nakuru captured the urgency of the matter.
“That the project has not served its intended purpose of offering youth-friendly services among the youth population of Rhonda and Kaptembwo Ward, respectively.”
In response, the youth working through the PACE project have developed a comprehensive implementation framework that outlines the services to be offered at the center.
These include: Health education and awareness sessions, Life skills and mentorship training, Career development support and Recreational and edutainment activities (e.g., board games, pool table).
These services aim to reduce barriers to healthcare access, build psychosocial resilience, and foster a culture of peace, dialogue, and positive engagement among youth.
While the center’s infrastructure remains modest, its potential to transform lives is enormous.
Youth champions are now urging the County Government to prioritize staffing the facility to ensure uninterrupted and professional delivery of services.
This initiative underscores the importance of safe community spaces in advancing youth development and peacebuilding.
It also illustrates how youth, when empowered and supported, can be catalysts for sustainable change—bridging gaps between communities and government, and laying the groundwork for long-term peace and accountability.