Our history
From a Mombasa collective to a national youth organization.
The public record of SYO is a trail of communiqués, budgets influenced, and rooms opened for young people.
2011
A collective in Mombasa
Dickson Okong'o and a group of young people founded SYO as a grassroots youth collective, on the belief that every young person deserves the chance to thrive.
2018
Voice, art, and protection
I Vote I Participate strengthened 12 youth organizations in county planning. Changamka Na Sanaa used public art for peaceful elections in Changamwe. SEYODE began securing young human rights defenders.
2019
The first Girl Summit
The Girl Summit launched in Mombasa. A youth communiqué was submitted to national and international policymakers at the ICPD25 Nairobi Summit.
2020
Community Talking Boxes
In Mombasa, talking boxes began closing the information gap on comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents and peer mentors.
2021
Kilifi, and a wider peace brief
The Girl Summit in Kilifi carried a youth communiqué to the county executive. MEAT, supported by Voice, promoted peaceful youth inclusion in coastal political processes through 2023.
2022
Kwale asks
A youth communiqué to Governor Fatuma Achani called for a county gender policy, an adolescent SRHR strategy, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making.
2023
Budgets, peace, and labor
KAP launched with the European Union. YLSAP worked with the Solidarity Center on labor accountability. The Girl Summit in Nairobi delivered a communiqué to national and county leaders. Advocacy contributed to sanitary-towel financing in Mombasa’s budget.
2024
Kisumu, and 16 days
The Girl Summit convened in Kisumu. SYO joined the launch of the Kenya Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Strategy 2025–2030 alongside stakeholders from Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa.
2025
Seventh Girl Summit
The 7th Girl Summit was held on 20 November 2025 at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa Campus, with the theme “Empowered Girls, Resilient Communities.” Sheria Ya Vijana began, running to 2028.
2026
Taita Taveta and Ride for Peace
Partners are shaping the 8th Girl Summit in Taita Taveta. Ride for Peace 2027 has already reached 456 people across five Mombasa sub-counties.