Kenya’s youth are both its greatest asset and its most urgent priority. With over 75% of the population under 35, their energy and innovation can drive peace, stability, and development. Yet many young people especially in informal settlements, border counties, and underserved regions face unemployment, marginalization, and lack of opportunity. These challenges make them vulnerable to crime, disillusionment, and, in some cases, recruitment into violent extremist networks.
SAKI’s Youth Empowerment Program tackles these challenges by equipping youth with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to live dignified, productive lives. By addressing structural barriers and creating pathways for growth, we empower young people to become drivers of peace, innovation, and sustainable development.
Our Goal
By investing in youth economic empowerment, SAKI not only reduces vulnerability to violent extremism but also unlocks Kenya’s greatest source of resilience and innovation. We believe empowered youth can lead the way in shaping a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous future for all.
Our Approach
We reduce vulnerability to extremism by promoting economic independence, meaningful engagement, and stronger community integration. Our work is anchored on five core pillars:
- Skills Development & Vocational Training
We partner with TVET institutions and polytechnics to deliver training in market-driven trades, ICT, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. This ensures young people gain practical skills that match Kenya’s evolving job market and can create jobs, not just seek them. - Financial Inclusion
Many youth struggle to access capital. We work with microfinance institutions, youth funds, and county governments to provide microloans, seed funding, and incubation services that help young people launch and sustain viable businesses.
- Job Creation & Employment Support
Through Youth Employment Centers, we offer job search assistance, career guidance, and linkages to internships and apprenticeships. We also support youth-led ventures in agriculture, creative industries, and renewable energy, connecting them to wider markets and value chains. - Support for Marginalized & High-Risk Communities
In conflict-affected areas, informal settlements, and border regions, we combine livelihood support with psychosocial care, peacebuilding, and community resilience initiatives. This helps break cycles of exclusion and reduces the appeal of extremist narratives - Policy Advocacy & Institutional Support: Beyond programs, systemic change is essential. We engage national and county policymakers to strengthen youth-focused policies and budgets, and we build the capacity of devolved structures and civil society to deliver sustainable