Our Thematic Focus

Two pillars. One mission. A generation empowered to lead, earn, and transform their communities.

YIKE works at the intersection of governance and economic justice -- because young people deserve both a voice and a livelihood.

Since 2007, we have equipped over 80,000 young Kenyans with the tools, platforms, and confidence to participate in democracy and build sustainable livelihoods. Our approach is community-rooted, youth-led, and evidence-driven.

Thematic Area

Leadership &
Governance

The Problem

Youth and women remain systematically excluded from decision-making processes at every level of governance -- from county assemblies to national policy tables.

Our Approach

Build civic leadership capacity, promote meaningful public participation, and support youth-led advocacy and peacebuilding from the grassroots up.

10 active programmes

Key Activities

Leadership training & mentorship
Civic & voter education
Youth policy dialogues
Election observation & monitoring
Peace building & mediation
Constitutional literacy
Data-driven advocacy
Civic tech innovation

Target Communities

Youth, young women, and civic organisations in urban informal settlements and devolved county governments across Kenya.

Key Activities

Business incubation & seed funding
Digital skills & online livelihoods
Micro-franchising support
Youth agribusiness programmes
Financial literacy & savings groups
Green enterprise development
Creative economy pathways
Market linkage & mentorship

Target Communities

Youth, women entrepreneurs, and MSMEs in urban and peri-urban communities across Kenya.

Thematic Area

Youth & Women
Economic
Empowerment

The Problem

Limited access to livelihoods, marketable skills, and affordable finance perpetuates unemployment and poverty among Kenya's young population.

Our Approach

Support entrepreneurship, digital skills training, MSME growth, and access to finance -- turning young people from job seekers into job creators.

8 active programmes

Beyond our pillars

Additional Strategic Focus Areas

Our work extends into interconnected areas that shape the wellbeing, safety, and future prospects of young Kenyans.

Health

Sexual & reproductive health rights, mental health awareness, and drug abuse prevention for youth and adolescents.

Education

Foundational literacy programmes, scholarship support, and mentorship to keep young people in learning pathways.

Environmental Conservation

Green zones, clean fuel adoption, tree planting, and youth-led climate action in urban communities.

Child Protection

Advancing child rights, preventing gender-based violence, and building safe spaces for children and adolescents.

These areas don't exist in silos.

A young woman trained in civic leadership might also run a green enterprise. A peace ambassador could be a digital skills graduate. Our cross-cutting approach recognises that empowerment is multidimensional -- and so is the change we build together.

See the work in action

Explore Our Programmes

From civic tech platforms to agribusiness incubators, discover the programmes making an impact across Kenya.