By Emmanuel Kiyaka, Programs Manager at GIST Kenya
Emmanuel Otieno Kiyaka is a young changemaker from Kenya committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through meaningful youth engagement. My journey into community leadership and advocacy has been shaped by the realities I witnessed growing up in underserved communities where young people, women, and vulnerable populations often faced limited opportunities, poor access to health information, environmental challenges, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. These experiences inspired me to become actively involved in creating solutions that place communities and young people at the center of change.
I hold a background in Project Planning and Management from University of Nairobi, which has strengthened my understanding of sustainable development, leadership, community systems, and project implementation. Over the years, I have developed a strong passion for climate justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and youth empowerment. I strongly believe that young people are not just beneficiaries of development programs but powerful drivers of innovation, advocacy, and sustainable transformation.
Through my work at Green Interventions for Sustainable Towns – Kenya (GIST Kenya), I have been able to meaningfully engage young people in climate action, policy advocacy, and community-driven development initiatives. At GIST Kenya, we work to bridge the gap between environmental sustainability, health, and social justice by empowering communities with practical and locally led solutions. One of the things that motivates me most is seeing young people take ownership of issues affecting their communities and confidently contribute to shaping solutions.
Our work has particularly focused on promoting coordinated waste management systems and circular economy approaches through partnerships and co-financing models with government institutions and local stakeholders. We have worked to advocate for sustainable environmental practices while also promoting the rights and dignity of informal waste workers who are often overlooked despite their critical contribution to environmental conservation and recycling systems. Through these efforts, young people have become active agents of change within their communities by leading clean-up activities, climate awareness campaigns, environmental education forums, and advocacy conversations around sustainability and green livelihoods.
In addition to climate action, we have also worked alongside faith leaders in Migori County to address harmful social norms affecting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through interfaith approaches. By engaging religious leaders, youth groups, and communities in open dialogue, we have been able to create safer and more inclusive spaces for conversations around adolescent health, gender equality, menstrual health, mental health, and reproductive rights. This approach has helped strengthen community trust and encouraged more culturally sensitive and community-owned solutions to SRHR challenges.
I have also been involved in initiatives that promote access to SRHR information and services for adolescents and young women through sports, dialogue forums, youth-led campaigns, and community engagement activities. I have seen firsthand how empowering young people with information and leadership opportunities can transform communities and inspire long-term change.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned through my journey is the importance of collaboration and community ownership. Sustainable impact cannot be achieved by individuals working alone. It requires partnerships, trust-building, and creating platforms where local voices are heard and respected. This belief continues to shape how I approach leadership and development work.
What drives me every day is the vision of creating healthier, greener, and more inclusive communities where young people and marginalized groups have equal opportunities to thrive. I am deeply motivated by the resilience of communities and the potential of young people to lead transformative action when given the opportunity and support. My dream is to continue building sustainable systems and initiatives that not only address current challenges but also create long-term opportunities for future generations across Africa.
I believe that meaningful change begins when communities are empowered to lead their own solutions. Through advocacy, innovation, and collective action, I remain committed to advancing climate justice, gender equality, youth leadership, and sustainable development for a better and more equitable future.