The government has revealed that a team of researchers from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), from South Korea, is expected to be dispatched to Kenya to conduct a survey involving the youth.
In a statement on Monday, July 14, the State Department of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy claimed that the survey will enable the two governments formulate interventions to address youth challenges in the country.
According to the department, the survey will revolve around social, psychological, economic, and political aspects of youths in Kenya.
According to the department, the survey will be spearheaded by Prof Jeon Only, the Director, Africa Human Resource Development Centre- Institute of African Studies, and Prof Bae Yuh Jin, Director, Centre for African Culture and History, Institute of African Studies in the university.
"The Professors noted that the youth demographic is a challenge not only in Kenya but across the world, and the need to understand them is critical to inform appropriate policy interventions for their needs," Part of the statement read.
"The University of Hankuk is among the four Universities in Korea, which have applied for research grants to the Korean government to research the Youth Development question in Africa," it added.
This announcement comes at a time when the youth, particularly Gen Z, are at the vanguard of demanding accountability and service delivery by pressuring President William Ruto's administration, using protests.
Just last week, during Saba Saba day protests, on Monday, July 7, thousands of protesters, mainly youths, flooded the streets of different cities and towns across the country for demonstrations. The protests were aimed at pressuring President William Ruto into listening to the grievances of Kenyans, which include economic hardships.
Speaking during a public event on Wednesday, July 9, the head of state attributed the recurrent protests to unnamed individuals whom he accused of sponsoring chaos and protests. Ruto affirmed that the government would no longer tolerate attempts to destabilise the nation.
Ruto appealed for mutual respect between citizens and state institutions, stating that law and order must be upheld even when people are expressing their grievances.
“I have been quiet, and I have tolerated these people who want to change the government using unconstitutional means—but enough is enough,” Ruto said.
“Anyone attacking our police officers, police stations, or installations is effectively declaring war. We will not tolerate it. We cannot run a country ruled by terror or chaos,” he added.
