By Paschal Norbert
UTAWALA, APRIL 29, 2025 (CISA) – Under the sun-dappled skies of Utawala, an uncommon gathering of young people from various Christian denominations took place at Carmel Primary School, hosted by Holy Family Catholic Parish. The event—an ecumenical youth forum—brought together passionate voices to tackle two pressing issues facing Kenyan youth today: governance and human trafficking. In an atmosphere charged with unity and purpose, the day unfolded into a lively and deeply reflective space for learning, empowerment, and Christian fellowship.
Spearheaded by Holy Family Catholic Parish Utawala and guided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi’s youth formation curriculum, the forum was not only timely but transformative.
“Today’s event was on good governance, sensitizing our youth on how to vote, choose good leaders, and take ownership of leadership,” said Nicholas Okwach, youth patron of the parish.
“It is not about others doing it. It starts with them. We invited churches like ACK, PEFA, Nairobi Chapel and SDA to come together and have these conversations because we belong to the same locality, he said in an interview with The Seed, underscoring that this was the first ecumenical event of its kind in the parish and revealed that another is in the pipeline.
The choice of guest speakers reflected a thoughtful desire to match words with action. Mr Morara Kebaso, known for his civic education work, emphasized the importance of responsible leadership and the urgency for youth to rise above tribal lines and become critical thinkers.
According to Averina Kakan, a youth coach and member of Young Catholic Adults (YCA), “Mr Morara was suggested by our parish priest, Fr. Stanley, because he admired his ideologies. He brought to light the need for civic responsibility and the role we, as young people, must play.”
The first half of the forum shifted focus to human trafficking, a modern-day scourge that has left too many young Kenyans vulnerable. Fr Darmian Martel, Assistant Parish Priest at Utawala and a missionary with the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, Kiltegans, delivered a sobering yet empowering presentation. Drawing from his work with Talitha Kum International Kenya.
Fr Darmian detailed real cases of Kenyan youth trafficked to countries like Saudi Arabia and Myanmar.
“Kenya is a hub of human trafficking,” he explained, adding “Our youth, in desperation for opportunities, fall into the traps of rogue agencies. It’s crucial that we teach them how to identify and report these dangers.”
Fr Darmian’s message resonated deeply with participants. Salome Wacuka, secretary of the Youth of PEFA Utawala, found the session eye-opening.
“I learned that what we call house girls, some who are underage, is actually a form of modern slavery,” she said, explaining further “And I had never known how to verify a job website or use a hotline if I suspected someone was being trafficked. Now I know, and I will share this with others.”
She also praised the unity of the gathering: “Seeing youth from different churches sit together to tackle national issues without any religious prejudice was beautiful. We’re all children of the same Father.”
The event was also a testament to interdenominational cooperation and the wider mission of Christian unity.
“Ecumenism was a key reason behind this event,” said Averina. “We came together not just as Catholics, but as Christians, to educate ourselves and support one another.”
That sense of togetherness was echoed by Nasibo Daisy, the parish youth secretary, “It was a successful program on governance and civic responsibility. We learned how to integrate faith with leadership and shared meaningful interactions with other churches. We’re now better informed and inspired to make responsible decisions.”
Beyond the knowledge gained, the meeting also offered a space to reflect on the life and leadership of the late Pope Francis.
“His call for fraternity and peace, as expressed in Fratelli Tutti, continues to inspire us,” noted Nicholas. “Now it is upon our youths to pray for his soul and carry on his mission of unity and justice.”
As the day drew to a close, the ecumenical youth forum left more than just ideas in its wake—it ignited a movement rooted in faith, dialogue, and action. In a country where governance challenges and exploitation threaten the future of many, these young Christians stood as beacons of hope, ready to shape a more just and humane society.
