• The need for the church to relate to and respect the young people as persons – 1 Tim 4:12
• Help the youths to develop a positive self image in Jesus Christ.
• The need for the church leadership to accept the youths as they are – 1 Cor 9:22
• Establish a close relationship (1 Thess 2:8) Be with them rather than be like them.
• Provide Spiritual authority (work with them not just for them.)

The Bishops in the Province took Youth work seriously and discussed the Youth Agenda in all their important meetings. The Rev Chipman, (who later became the Bishop of M.t Kenya West) was appointed a full time youth worker.  This was a major boost to the Youth ministry as he did exemplary good work. This is what has led to the status of KAYO today whereby every Diocese has a functional KAYO.

In Kirinyaga we have a fulltime Youth worker namely Diocesan Youth Organizer (D. Y .O). The D.Y.O is the appointee of the Bishop. there is also a Diocesan Chairperson appointed by the standing committee of the synod. The Diocesan Leadership is held by the Diocesan Executive Committee comprising of the Chairman, DYO, Archdeaconry Coordinators both Clergy and Laity. The Leadership trickles down to the Deaneries, Parishes as well as the Congregations

KAYO MOTTO

“Be Strong in the Lord “Ephesians 6:10

KAYO PRAYER

Teach us Good Lord to serve you with all our strength, Body, Soul and Mind. To love you and rejoice in you always and to offer our services without counting the cost. Through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

KAYO PROMISE

I promise to love Jesus Christ all the days of my life, to pray for the other young people especially to join KAYO and to abide by the rules of the group.

KAYO ANTHEM

Ee KAYO Mashahidi wa Yesu
Chama kikuu chenye kusudi kubwa
Kinawapendeza vijana, wasichana kwa wavulana
Ee KAYO Mashahidi wa Yesu

KAYO OBECTIVES

1. To bring young people to know, to love Jesus Christ as savior and Lord.
2. To build up young people in the knowledge and behavior of the Christian faith the Bible being the Foundation.
3. To educate Young people in good Christian Character and to encourage them to be Leaders of the church.
4. To help the church understand its responsibility towards young people.

1. ACHIEVEMENT
2. Capacity building

The department was able to undertake the following:

1. Conferences: Participated in the regional, provincial and diocesan conferences, 1325 youth were reached
2. Workshops: This included school leavers forum, university student forum, youth leaders workshop and Gents and Ladies day out a total of 923 youth were reached
3. DYO'S visit to Archdeaconries and Parishes: All 7 Archdeaconries visited,  33 parishes. A total of 2347 youth reached.
   

2. Celebration / commissioning: 345 commissioned. The celebration was attended by over  2500 youth
3. Development: Construction of Amphitheater on progress

1. YOUTH DEPARTMENT 2020 ACTIVITIES

THEME: GALATIANS 5:7  "WHAT HOLDS YOU FROM THE TRUTH?"

1. Schools leavers forum 25^TH January 2020
2. Chairpersons meeting on 1^st 2020
3. Parish executive workshop on 22^nd 2020
4. Parish youth patrons retreat on14^th march 2020
5. Youth ministry week 6^th -12^th April 2020
6. Parish chairperson visits the Bishop. 13^th April 2020
7. Diocesan youth celebration day on 18^th April –  Kutus
8. Regional conference run from 20^{th -} -24^th  April 
9. University student forum on 5^th June
10. Chairpersons meeting - 11^st July 2020  Kutus
11. Gents and ladies day out 1^st August 2020 –St Luke Wanguru
12. Provincial conference August 2020
13. Chairpersons meeting on 14^th November 2020- Kutus
14. Diocesan youth conference 7^th to 12^th December 2020
15. Diocesan youth End of Year concert  on 18^th   December

However, after the government's directive on suspension of social gatherings due to COVID 19, most of the activities have been suspended.

• FUTURE PLAN

 Finishing of the amphitheater

 HOW THE DEPARTMENT REMAINS RELEVANT DURING COVID 19 PENDAMIC

1. Online debate
2. Online questions and answer forums
3. Online discussions of selected topics
4. Testimony forums
5. Sharing of concern online