KAYO

The Kenya Anglican Youth Organization (AYO) was started in the year 1962 by the then Bishop of Mt Kenya Diocese – the Late Obadiah Kariuki. He started it with the aim of bringing young people to the church of Christ. He had a great vision for young people and wanted a forum where they would be empowered in matters of faith and equipped to be soldiers of Christ. This department serves young people from 13 years and above.

In the year 1964, the Bishop launched the Diocesan A.Y.O at the St. Paul’s mother church Kabete and a youth committee was commissioned to carry on the enormous youth work in the Diocese. In the consequent synod all other Bishops agreed to start A.Y.O in their Dioceses. The name was later changed from A.Y.O to KAYO to cover the entire country.

In the commissioning service of the youth organization Bishop Kariuki highlighted the following:

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

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

KAYO OBECTIVES

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

11: ACHIEVEMENT

Capacity building

The department was able to undertake the following:

This included school leavers forum, university student forum, youth leaders workshop.
DYO visit to 57 parishes.
Celebration due to the covid 19 measures every perish was represented with three youth
one day / commissioning. 478 youth were commissioned as KAYO members. 1500 youth attended.
Development. Construction of Amphitheater on progress

2024 KAYO Commissioning in ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga where 825 youths were commissioned