By Sundeep Sharma
The world now knows Kenya’s youth as pulsing with a restless energy and exuberance ready to be harnessed for the material that makes for the unforeseen yet a boon for society as a whole. With about 75% of the population under 35 and young people constituting a remarkable over 70% of the tourism workforce, Kenya stands at a crossroads of potential.
Yet this unmatched potential hinges on a fragile and indispensable foundation – peace. Across the globe, visionary communities have transformed scars of conflict into sanctuaries of understanding, proving that tourism thrives in the fertile ground of actively cultivated harmony. Such stories are not distant parables. They are blueprints, beckoning Kenya’s youth to become the weavers of a future where peace is the ultimate attraction above all.
The narrative extends beyond sites of historical trauma to cities built on diplomacy. The Hague in the Netherlands leverages its legacy hosting the landmark 1899 and 1907 Peace Conferences by branding itself an “international city of peace and justice.” It actively promotes this identity, attracting institutions, conferences, and tourists drawn to its unique role in global governance.
A group of tourists enjoy beautiful sceneries as lion passes nearby. Photo: The Star Source: X
Meanwhile, Dayton, Ohio, USA, transformed its association with the 1995 Bosnia peace accords into a dynamic civic identity. Beyond the agreements, citizens ignited a culture of peace by establishing the Dayton International Peace Museum and creating the unique Dayton Literary Peace Prize while fostering community-wide peace education. This organic, citizen-led movement, particularly driven by younger generations showcases how peace can become a community’s core brand that attracts investment, talent, and visitors seeking connection with purposeful places.
The most enduring lessons, however, often stem from simple human encounters. In the smouldering ashes of World War II, French teacher Jean Barraud embarked on a radical act of hope, He organised trips for French students to Germany in 1946 and 1947 with an audacious to connect youth whose parents had become mortal enemies through fostering direct communication and shared understanding.
That grassroots initiative blossomed into the Federation of Youth Travel Organisations (FIYTO), itself, as testaments to the transformative power of purposeful youth travel. Decades earlier, German educator Richard Schirrmann the founder of Hostelling International, articulated this vision in 1909 following which youth hostels were conceived as “homes of peace,” where young people from all nations could meet, exchange ideas, and appreciate different languages and backgrounds, building “the good of humanity.” These pioneers understood what Kenya’s youth inherently grasp today – that connection dismantles prejudice.
Kenya’s young generation is already answering the call. The Government’s Youth in Tourism and Conservation (YTC) initiative explicitly empowers youth as “agents of change” through innovation, entrepreneurship, and conservation. Programmes like youth-focused photography contests documenting local attractions or collaborative regional clean-ups are vital seeds.
Imagine young Kenyans, inspired by Dayton’s community spirit, launching “Peace Homestays” in historically tense regions, or crafting digital storytelling platforms akin to Hiroshima’s museum, sharing narratives of inter-ethnic cooperation from Lamu to Lodwar. Envision them leveraging their tech prowess, as urged by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano to create apps guiding visitors through “peace trails” connecting cultural sites with community reconciliation projects.
Zebras captured grazing on the slopes of a Mountain in Kenya. Photo: Nation Source: X
When young Kenyans champion peace, they do more than stabilise the nation. They craft its most magnetic allure for tourists seeking not just spectacle but meaning and not just landscapes, but connections. By actively weaving peace into the fabric of tourism through storytelling, community-based enterprises, cross-cultural exchanges, and the sheer power of welcoming engagement Kenya’s youth can transform from being service providers into narrative shapers. They can become the living bridge between heritage and boundless future by ensuring the world does not just visit Kenya, but deeply and resonantly connects with what we are uniquely are.
In this endeavour, the global pioneers light the way, proving that peace, when woven into the journey itself, becomes the most unforgettable destination.
Sundeep is a student of world history by choice and well-respected financial analyst and systems integration specialist with years of experience in various jurisdictions mainly in Asia, parts of Europe and now in Africa.
