A section of youth leaders aspiring for various positions in the National Youth Council is demanding the immediate resumption of the council’s elections, which were scheduled for October 9, 2026, but were suspended following a court petition.
The aspirants, led by chairmanship candidate Brian Keter, have opposed the suspension, terming it a setback to youth representation and participation in national leadership. They now intend to join the ongoing High Court proceedings as interested parties to seek the lifting of the conservatory orders halting the electoral process.
The aspirants argue that the council has gone 14 years without elections, leaving young people without an elected leadership structure to champion their interests. The dispute is before the court in the case of Emelda Kwamboka versus the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs.
They are also calling for an urgent meeting between the National Steering Committee, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the aspirants to agree on a clear, time-bound roadmap for conducting the elections.
Speaking on the matter, National Youth Council Secretary General aspirant Behi David said holding the elections would restore formal youth representation and strengthen civic participation.
The aspirants say the prolonged delay has undermined young people’s ability to advocate for economic empowerment, access to opportunities and inclusion in government decision-making.
Beyond the elections, the group is pushing for legislative and policy reforms, including guaranteed access to government procurement opportunities, increased budgetary allocation for youth program, tax incentives for youth-owned enterprises and legal protection for digital content creators.
They also intend to introduce a bill in Parliament to safeguard the earnings of digital content creators and are calling for amendments to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act to expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Aden Mohamed Korane, representing Balambala Ward, said the postponement had left many young people frustrated and disenfranchised.
His Rift Valley counterpart, Coretta Jerop, said youth delegates from several counties, including Turkana, Kajiado, Nakuru and Kericho, were seeking formal involvement in the ongoing constitutional petition.
Jerop said the lack of elected representation had weakened advocacy for youth empowerment and access to essential opportunities.
The aspirants are now urging the relevant authorities to facilitate a legal and administrative process that will allow the elections to proceed, saying young people deserve an elected council to represent their interests.
