The U.S. Embassy invites the media to the launch of an agreement between the National Youth Bunge Association (NYBA) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports both NCIC and NYBA in targeted efforts to promote peace and national unity in Kenya.

Silas Maru, the President of the National Youth Bunge Association will represent the youth organization along with other NYBA Board members. Chief Executive Officer of the NCIC Hassan Mohammed will represent the Government of Kenya. Director of the Education and Youth Office at USAID/Kenya Dwaine Lee will represent the United States.

Participants at the event will discuss the underlying causes of political violence in Kenya. They will contribute ideas on how to prevent further violence in the current political season. Both elders and youth from the densely populated and ethnically diverse Mathare community will share their personal stories about past violence.

Background: Through the Kenya Civil Society Strengthening Program, USAID has supported NCIC to facilitate and promote a Kenyan society whose values are harmonious and non-discriminatory for peaceful co-existence and integrations. The agreement between NCIC and the NYBA will allow NCIC to harness the vast network of youth bunges and the one million Kenyan youth, aged 18 - 35, who belong to bunges.

Yes Youth Can, the largest USAID-supported program in the world, has helped Kenya's youth develop this system of village- and county-level bunges, or parliaments. NYBA leaders are elected democratically beginning at the village level. Youth bunges are registered as self-help groups with the Ministry of Gender & Social Development. The program provides support to the economic development of Kenya's youth in their communities in areas such as jobs, community service, responsible leadership, and peace building.

When: Monday, January 14, 2013 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Where: Kiboro Open Grounds, next to Kiboro Primary School, Mathare, Nairobi