NYC Elections Set to Revitalize Youth Leadership as Kenya Announces Long-Awaited Polls
The government has officially announced the resumption of the long-delayed National Youth Council (NYC) elections, a critical step towards strengthening youth representation and participation in national development and governance.
Speaking at a press briefing, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy and Sports, Fikirini Jacobs, confirmed that preparations are underway following Cabinet approval on July 21, 2025, which authorized the conduct of the elections and allocated resources for the exercise.
The NYC, established under the National Youth Council Act (Cap. 132), serves as the official voice of Kenyan youth. The council comprises 8 elected and up to 8 nominated members, with the first and only election held in 2012. That council’s tenure ended in 2019, after which delays caused by the 2022 general election cycle, a government reorganization in 2023, and legislative proposals stalled fresh elections.
In November 2024, a National Steering Committee was appointed to coordinate election preparations. Since then, the ministry has engaged stakeholders and mobilized resources to ensure a credible and inclusive process.
The elections will be conducted in four structured stages:
Nominations – Candidates must be nominated by at least 50 registered youth voters.
Ward Level – Six youth (three male, three female) will be elected per ward, yielding 8,700 Ward Delegates.
Constituency Level – These Ward Delegates will elect one male and one female per constituency (580 in total) to form the National Youth Congress.
National Level – The 580 Congress delegates will elect 8 Council Members and nominate 8 others, along with 31 substitutes for governance continuity.
To qualify, candidates must be under 35 years old by December 31 of the election year, possess at least a secondary school certificate, meet Chapter 6 requirements on integrity, and provide police clearance or a recommendation from their area chief. Provisions have also been made for youth living with disabilities.
PS Jacobs called on the youth to register and participate, stakeholders to support electoral integrity, and development partners to back the process financially and logistically.
The Ministry will soon launch a civic education campaign and announce official election dates via gazette notice. Updates will be shared via NYC’s website and social media (@nyc_youthvoice).
“This is your moment,” said Jacobs. “Step up, be counted, and shape the future of youth leadership in Kenya.”
