The Kenya Anglican Youths’ Organization

The Youth are the most energetic group both physically and emotionally. If their energies are tapped, harnessed and well utilized they can be a great blessing to church and society. If not, they are the most vulnerable group because their energies can be abused.

In 1962, the then Bishop of (the former) Mt. Kenya Diocese, the late Obadiah Kariuki, had a vision for young people. He established the Anglican Youth Organization (AYO) with the main aim of bringing the young people back to the mainstream of the Church of Christ.

In 1964, the bishop launched the Diocesan Anglican Youth Organization at the St. Paul’s Mother Church, Kabete and he commissioned a Youth Committee to carry on the extension work in the Diocese. During the following Provincial Synod, all the other Bishops agreed to start AYO in their dioceses. The name was changed from AYO to KAYO so as to cover the whole country.

During the formation of the youth organization, Bishop Kariuki stressed in his teaching, the following as the Mandate of KAYO:

  • To relate to and respect the young people as persons (1st 4:12). 
  • Help the young people develop a positive self-image in Jesus.
  • Accept young people as they are (1st Cor 9:22)
  • Establish a close relationship with the young people. (1st Thes 2:8), He encouraged being with them, rather than be like them.
  • Provide spiritual authority to the young people through working with them, and not just for them.

KAYO has been established in every diocese and most have a full-time youth worker assisting the committees to plan their activities. The membership comprises of youth above the age of 18 to age 35, mostly unmarried. The KAYO leadership organizes for conferences at both the Diocesan and Provincial level to bring together Anglican youth to be taught about faith and their personal Growth.

KAYO members initiate projects which earn them an income and also provide employment. These include shoemaking, making and selling tablecloths and even building houses to be rented out among others. The members also receive training in entrepreneurial skills and are encouraged to pursue education.

The KAYO Motto is “Be strong in the Lord“. KAYO has produced lay leaders, church leaders at all levels, and faithful church followers.

Anglican Student Fellowship

The Anglican Students’ Fellowship of Kenya (ASF-K) is a Ministry within Kenya Anglican Youth Organization (KAYO) for the Anglican Youth in Institutions of Higher Learning. ASF aims to address challenges faced by the youth of the Anglican Church background and contribute to a holistic growth of the young people as Christians and in the Anglican doctrine.

As a constituent of the KAYO, ASF is headed by the KAYO Provincial Executive, and the ASF Provincial Committee which comprises of the Chairperson, the Anglican Students’ Fellowship Organizer (ASFO), the Events and Media Coordinator, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and two Chapter leaders. Other ASF committees include: Regional Chapter Committees made up of Dioceses in a region, Diocesan Chapter Committees made up of Institutions within a Diocese and Institutional Committees within various institutions of Higher Learning in a given Diocese.

Our Motto: You are the salt and the light of the world. Matthew 5:13-14

Vision

A unified fellowship positively impacting the lives of Anglican Students and transforming communities.

Mission

To nurture Anglican students, contribute to their holistic growth and set them on the path to

become agents of change on campus, within the church and in the communities around them.

Core Values

Integrity • Transparency • Accountability • Creativity • Passion and zeal.