Marsabit County played host to the inaugural Transgenerational Conversations Townhall Forum on Thursday, July 24, 2025—an initiative spearheaded by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in partnership with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The forum brought together youth, elders, religious leaders, and community stakeholders for a candid exchange of ideas aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and social cohesion in Kenya. Marsabit, a region often marked by cycles of conflict driven by political competition, ethnic tensions, and resource disputes, served as a symbolic and strategic location for this dialogue.

Welcoming participants, Deputy County Commissioner Mr. David Saruni underscored the importance of such engagements, particularly in a county with a predominantly youthful population. The town hall addressed pressing issues including youth unemployment, insecurity, and inter-community tensions.

NCIC Commissioner Dr. Makori pointed to last year’s Gen-Z-led protests over the finance bill as a reflection of youth exclusion in policymaking. “It is important that we have people-led conversations as we conduct this live show—the audience has a lot to table,” he said.

Stephen Roba shared his efforts to establish a youth employment welfare centre in collaboration with the county government, while Farida Mohamed highlighted that over 60% of Marsabit’s population comprises unemployed youth under 25—a factor fuelling ethnic divisions and clan-based incitement. She urged young people to explore digital opportunities beyond traditional employment. Sheikh Mohamed Kuli reminded parents of their role in shaping future leaders, saying, “Let us remember to set a good example for these children.”

Panelists during the TransGenerational conversations in Marsabit County