Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Charles Thiong’o has urged Kenyan youth to take a more active role in the country’s leadership and governance, saying the 2027 General Election presents an important opportunity for a new generation to shape the nation’s political future.
Speaking during a youth engagement forum, Thiong’o said young people have the biggest stake in the country’s future and should move beyond calls for inclusion by offering themselves for elective positions and participating actively in civic affairs.
“We encourage our young people to rise and take their rightful place in the leadership and governance of our country,” Thiong’o said.
He challenged young people to prepare themselves for leadership and exercise their constitutional right to vote for candidates they believe can best serve their interests and the country.
“The power of the ballot is more powerful than the power of the bullet,” he said, urging the youth to use elections as a peaceful avenue for determining the direction of the country.
Thiong’o, who is eyeing the Githunguri parliamentary seat in the 2027 elections, also used the forum to encourage young people to make productive use of their formative years, describing youth as the most energetic and potentially productive phase of life.
He urged those pursuing education to take their studies seriously, while encouraging young people involved in religious activities, community service and other endeavours to approach their responsibilities with dedication.
“When you are young, please, if it is serving God, serve God with all your strength. If it is school, please take your studies seriously. If it is any other service you are doing for the community, serve with dedication,” he said.
According to Thiong’o, youth must guard against distractions that could derail their ambitions, arguing that the combination of time, energy and opportunity gives young people a significant advantage in building their futures.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Thiong’o also stressed the importance of young people obtaining national identification documents and positioning themselves to participate in the electoral process.
“How many have IDs here?” he asked participants before emphasising that having an identification document is an important first step towards exercising civic rights.
He called on the youth to engage in political conversations constructively and participate in elections peacefully, drawing a contrast between democratic participation and violence.
His message comes against the backdrop of growing calls across the country for greater youth participation in political leadership and decision making, particularly as Kenya prepares for the next General Election.
Thiong’o has branded his youth mobilisation message “It’s Youth O’clock”, accompanied by the slogans OnwardsTogether and LeavingNoOneBehind.
In a separate engagement, Thiong’o returned to his home church, PCEA Geoffrey Gathu Memorial Church, Gathanje Parish, in Githunguri Sub-County, where he interacted with worshippers, neighbours and fellow villagers.
The visit provided an opportunity for Thiong’o to reconnect with residents and share an encouragement message with young people.
He urged them to pursue their dreams diligently and avoid distractions that could stand in the way of their goals.
“It was a joy interacting and reconnecting with people you’ve grown up with, reminiscing on the good old days; there is certainly no better place than home,” he said.
During the visit, Thiong’o also inspected projects being undertaken by the church, including the construction of a modern swimming pool.
He said the facility is expected to serve the wider community, including neighbouring schools, and could complement sporting and physical education requirements under Kenya’s competency-based education system.
The church project, he said, demonstrates how faith-based institutions can contribute to community development by investing in facilities that benefit residents beyond the congregation.
Thiong’o concluded his message by wishing residents a productive week and invoking God’s blessings on their work and families.
As he positions himself for the Githunguri parliamentary contest, his increasing focus on youth engagement, education, civic participation and community development is likely to form a significant part of his political message ahead of 2027.
For Kenya’s youthful population, the political contest presents another opportunity to determine whether calls for greater youth representation will translate into increased participation not only at the ballot box, but also in the corridors of leadership.
The message from Thiong’o is clear that young Kenyans should not wait to be invited into the country’s political future they should prepare, participate and seek leadership themselves.
