To mark World Population Day yesterday, King Kaka released his latest song, Beshte Yangu, a project done in collaboration with UNESCO. The launch took place at the University of Nairobi (UoN), bringing together students from both UoN and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), faculty members and the wider community to celebrate the importance of investing in youth education, health, and well-being to build a sustainable future for both individuals and societies.
Beshte Yangu delivers a powerful message on positive masculinity, Mental Health, and HIV Awareness.
Speaking after the launch, the rapper expressed his joy at the project and his espoused his pride in being involved with the values the song seeks to promote.
“We all need a Beshte Yangu when facing life’s challenges, and this song is an appeal to support each other and show solidarity. The song is in Swahili, but it is designed to appeal to all young people as it showcases challenges we could all face. Listening to each other and asking for help is an important part of the solution. And it is OK not to be OK,”
King Kaka
In Kenya, with a population of 47.5 million, addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of its 7.9 million young people aged 15-24 remains a pressing issue; 184 000 young individuals in this age group are living with HIV, with 17 000 new infections occurring each year. Negative Sexual and Reproductive Health outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies and violence, disrupt the well-being of students and limit their potential.
In response to these challenges, the University of Nairobi, Kenya Medical Training College, and Unesco have joined forces through the Unesco O3 Plus (Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future) project, which aims to increase knowledge about HIV, unplanned pregnancies, mental health, and gender-based violence (GBV).
The project emphasises social accountability, supports health education, creates an enabling policy environment, and advocates for zero tolerance of harassment and violence. O3 Plus is being implemented across UoN’s 10 and three KMTC campuses, prioritising student well-being and fostering a safe environment for all.
For masterclasses on Arts from the best in the creative industry visit https://academy.sanaapost.com/