01
Economic Empowerment
Creating 15,000 new jobs and 5,000 new small and medium enterprises.
15K Jobs
Executive Summary
Transforming Youth Potential IntoRegional Development Impact
The Mandera Youth Assembly (MYA) represents a new era of youth-led development in Northern Kenya. Established in April 2022, MYA is the first fully structured youth-serving institution in the Frontier Counties Development Council region, operating with democratic legitimacy, professional governance, and a long-term vision for sustainable youth empowerment.
Unlike conventional youth groups or project-based organizations, MYA functions as an institutionalized umbrella body with a democratically elected Youth Assembly, an independent Board of Directors, a professional Secretariat, and grassroots structures reaching every ward of Mandera County.
150K
Target Youth Members
30
Wards Represented
6
Constituencies Covered
12
Strategic Focus Areas
A Trusted Platform For Youth Development Investment
MYA serves as a one-stop platform for development partners, government agencies, private sector actors, philanthropies, and donors seeking a credible, accountable, and scalable vehicle for investing in youth development across Mandera County and the wider Horn of Africa region.
Our Theory of Change
Organized youth with structured pathways to livelihoods, leadership, innovation, and peacebuilding will transform Mandera from a narrative of marginalization into a beacon of youth-led development and regional prosperity.
Our Horizon
Our Vision
A prosperous, peaceful and climate-resilient Mandera County where every youth is economically empowered, socially included, politically represented and living a dignified life free from violence, poverty and marginalization.
Empowering Mandera County Youth
Our Roadmap
Our Mission
- To institutionalize youth participation across all levels of governance and development.
- To deliver demand-driven skills training, enterprise development and employment programs.
- To advocate relentlessly for evidence-based youth-centered policies and budget allocations.
- To build sustainable peace through structured youth governance, dialogue and early warning systems.
- To position Mandera County as a regional hub for youth innovation, pastoralist resilience and cross-border cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Action-Driven Governance
Institutional Principles
Guiding Values & Standards
The operational framework, ethical benchmarks, and governance rules that drive our youth leadership and regional interventions.
01
Inclusivity
Core Policy50% Female Representation Standard
Gender balance is a structural requirement. MYA ensures no less than fifty percent female representation while creating space for Persons with Disabilities and minority communities.
Mandatory Compliance
02
Integrity
Audited Financials & Ethics
MYA maintains transparent accounting systems, audited financial statements and a strict code of conduct guiding staff and volunteers.
Mandatory Compliance
03
Excellence
Global Quality Benchmarks
MYA benchmarks its interventions against global youth development standards and refuses lower standards because it operates in an ASAL region.
Mandatory Compliance
04
Autonomy
Youth-Led & Independent
MYA remains independent from political parties, government agencies and private interests while remaining youth-led and youth-owned.
Mandatory Compliance
05
Accountability
Community Scorecards
Through community scorecards, annual meetings and open communication, MYA ensures youth hold the organization responsible for its commitments.
Mandatory Compliance
Our Strategic Direction
Eight Pillars Driving Youth Transformation
MYA's 2026–2031 strategic plan is organized around eight interconnected pillars addressing the economic, social, governance, environmental and institutional priorities of Mandera's youth.
02
Education & Skills
Certifying 30,000 youth with Technical and Vocational Education and Training qualifications.
30K Youth
03
Peace & Governance
Enacting a County Youth Policy and reducing youth involvement in violence.
Youth Policy
04
Health & Wellbeing
Achieving a 50% reduction in substance abuse among registered youth.
50% Reduction
05
Climate & Environment
Planting 500,000 trees and creating 2,000 green jobs.
500K Trees
06
ICT & Innovation
Certifying 15,000 youth in digital skills and connecting 3,000 to remote online employment.
15K Digital
07
Inclusion & Gender
Empowering 20,000 young women through economic inclusion, leadership and protection from gender-based violence.
20K Women
08
Institutional Strengthening
Registering 150,000 members and achieving sustainable funding.
150K Members
Risk Management Matrix
Managing Risk. Protecting Impact.
We recognize the operational, environmental, institutional and social risks that can affect youth development programming. Our approach is built around prevention, preparedness, inclusion and continuous learning.
01
Conflict & Insecurity
Identified Risk
Conflict, violent extremism, clan tensions and insecurity may disrupt program implementation and limit access to affected communities.
Mitigation Action
Apply conflict-sensitive programming, conduct contextual risk assessments, strengthen community-based early warning mechanisms and work through local peacebuilding structures.
Risk-Informed Framework
02
Exclusion & Inequality
Identified Risk
Women, youth with disabilities and other marginalized groups may face barriers to meaningful participation in programs and governance structures.
Mitigation Action
Integrate GEDSI analysis into program design, maintain inclusive participation targets and provide accessible facilities, materials and support mechanisms.
Risk-Informed Framework
03
Climate & Environmental Shocks
Identified Risk
Drought, water scarcity, desertification and other climate-related shocks may affect livelihoods, mobility and program continuity.
Mitigation Action
Integrate climate resilience across programs, promote climate-smart livelihoods, support environmental conservation and strengthen community adaptation capacity.
Risk-Informed Framework
04
Institutional & Governance Risk
Identified Risk
Weak institutional capacity, governance gaps or limited coordination may affect accountability and effective delivery.
Mitigation Action
Strengthen governance systems, clarify institutional responsibilities, maintain transparent decision-making and continuously monitor organizational performance.
Risk-Informed Framework
05
Digital Access & Security
Identified Risk
Limited connectivity, device access and digital literacy may restrict participation in technology-driven programs and expose users to online risks.
Mitigation Action
Expand community ICT access, provide foundational digital skills and integrate cybersecurity awareness, privacy and responsible technology use into digital programs.
Risk-Informed Framework
06
Resource & Sustainability Risk
Identified Risk
Dependence on external funding and changing resource availability may affect the continuity and scale of strategic interventions.
Mitigation Action
Diversify funding sources, strengthen partnerships, develop sustainable resource mobilization mechanisms and align investments with measurable outcomes.
Risk-Informed Framework
07
Community Trust & Participation
Identified Risk
Low trust, misinformation or limited community participation may reduce program uptake and undermine intended outcomes.
Mitigation Action
Maintain transparent community engagement, use locally appropriate communication channels and involve youth and community stakeholders throughout the program cycle.
Risk-Informed Framework
Risk management is embedded across MYA's strategic programming, with particular emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion, disability inclusion, and conflict sensitivity.