ARCHBISHOP ANYOLO APPEALS FOR SUPPORT TO EMPOWER NAIROBI YOUTH
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, has called on Christians, businesses and development partners to support Caritas Nairobi’s KSh 20 million fundraising drive to equip young people with skills, resources and opportunities to overcome unemployment and build sustainable livelihoods.
This he said during the Caritas Nairobi Fundraising Dinner held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Holy Family Minor Basilica grounds, bringing together guests including H.E. Vincenzo Del Monaco, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya and Seychelles and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, clergy, religious men and women, young people, corporate partners, Self Help Groups, Caritas Nairobi Board members and other well-wishers.
Also present were Mr. Einstein Kihanda, Chief Executive Officer of ICEA LION Asset Management, and CPA Patrick Kariuki Kinyori, Chairman of Caritas Microfinance Bank.
Speaking at the event, Archbishop Anyolo urged benefactors to translate their concern for young people into practical support, warning against leaving them to navigate the challenges of building their futures alone.
“Please join us in this mission,” he appealed, emphasizing that empowering young people requires a collective commitment from the Church, government, private sector, civil society and communities.
Held under the theme “Empowering Youth, Transforming Futures – Tujijenge,” the dinner sought to raise KSh 20 million for Caritas Nairobi’s Gender and Youth Empowerment Programme, which provides vocational training, entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, mentorship and psychosocial support.
The Archbishop said the fundraising initiative was an opportunity to examine the future stakeholders willing to build for young people. He, insisted that youth ministry must extend beyond occasional activities to continuous accompaniment, skills development and meaningful participation in decisions affecting their lives.
Drawing from the 21st Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Plenary Assembly, hosted in Nairobi earlier this year, he reiterated the Church’s commitment to listening to young people and creating opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to the Church and society.
He further invoked Pope Leo XIV’s teaching on human dignity, solidarity and the common good, urging benefactors to turn their resources into practical expressions of solidarity with those in need.
Addressing the young people present at the dinner, the Archbishop affirmed their potential, saying, “You are not a problem to be solved. You are a gift to be nurtured.”
He also pledged responsible management of contributions, assuring benefactors that resources entrusted to the Church would be utilized prudently and appropriately.
Caritas Nairobi Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Peter Kiarie said the fundraising target would help address the challenges facing young people, many of whom have the ambition to establish businesses, acquire practical skills and improve their families’ circumstances but lack the resources and opportunities to do so.
Statistics show that, one million young Kenyans enter the labour market annually, with many encountering unemployment, underemployment and limited access to decent work. Approximately 90 per cent of Kenya’s workforce operates in the informal sector, where employment can be insecure and poorly remunerated.
Within the Archdiocese of Nairobi, which ministers to many young people facing various challenges, Fr. Kiarie said Caritas Nairobi is responding through vocational and skills training, entrepreneurship support, financial literacy, mentorship, mental health awareness, and psychosocial services. As the social arm of the Archdiocese, Caritas Nairobi also supports young people in establishing and growing businesses to improve their prospects for sustainable livelihoods.
“Our approach is simple but profound: we do not want to create dependency; we want to create opportunity,” he said, adding that empowering one young person strengthens families, communities and the nation.
The appeal builds on the previous year’s fundraising dinner, which raised approximately KSh 12 million to support vulnerable children and young people in Nairobi and Kiambu counties. The funds helped strengthen Kwetu Home of Peace and Rescue Dada Centre, institutions that rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate street-connected boys and girls.
