Youth demand greater role in Kenya’s governance and digital economy

Young people have called for greater involvement in Kenya’s governance and economic affairs, saying they should be recognised not only as beneficiaries of government programmes but as citizens, innovators, entrepreneurs and active partners in shaping the country’s future.

The call was made during a youth convening that brought together young people to discuss governance, technology, entrepreneurship and the challenges affecting their lives as Kenya approaches another electoral cycle.

General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui said young people should have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making from the grassroots to the national level, including policy development, public participation, leadership and oversight.

“We envision a Kenya where governance is inclusive, accountable, transparent, responsive and citizen-centred,” Kinyanjui said.

He said effective leadership should listen to citizens, uphold integrity and constitutional values and remain accountable for decisions and the use of public resources.

Kinyanjui also urged young people to take responsibility for their role in governance by staying informed and actively demanding accountability from leaders.

“Meaningful governance requires citizens who are informed, engaged and willing to demand accountability,” he said.

The youth also called for peaceful, informed and issue-based political participation as the country moves towards the next election, while rejecting misinformation, disinformation, political manipulation and ethnic mobilisation.

Technology and its growing influence on young people’s lives also emerged as a key issue during the discussions.

Youth peacebuilding advocate Claire Njagi said digital technology, social media, digital payments and artificial intelligence were creating opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, learning, markets and inclusion.

“Access to technology is not automatically access to opportunity,” Njagi said.

She said many young people were still unable to fully benefit from technology because of the cost of devices and internet access, unreliable electricity, limited digital skills, inadequate mentorship, lack of capital and difficulties accessing certification, markets and professional networks.

Njagi said there was a need to help young people move beyond daily hustles and build sustainable enterprises capable of growing and creating employment.

Young entrepreneurs also identified cash flow, customer retention, competition, taxation, record keeping, registration, licensing and operating costs among the challenges limiting the growth of their businesses.

They called for increased access to financing, mentorship, partnerships and networks to help businesses move from survival to sustainable growth.

Artificial intelligence was also discussed, with the youth welcoming emerging technologies while stressing that human judgment, creativity and responsibility should remain central to their use.

They raised concerns over data privacy, digital safety, misinformation, errors in AI-generated information, child protection and excessive reliance on technology.

Njagi said young people would need to continuously develop their skills as technology evolves, while ensuring that digital transformation does not leave vulnerable groups behind.

“We want technology to expand opportunity, not deepen exclusion,” she said.

Beyond technology and employment, the discussions also highlighted the social and economic pressures facing young people, including unemployment, rising living costs, financial pressure, repeated rejection, relationship difficulties and social expectations.

The youth called for stronger support systems and safe spaces where young people can have honest conversations, access appropriate professional care and find livelihood solutions that address their wider social and economic needs.

They urged the government, private sector, civil society, faith institutions and development partners to invest in systems that can help young people turn their ideas and skills into sustainable opportunities.

The youth also called for stronger collaboration between generations, saying the experience and knowledge of older people should be combined with the energy, creativity and innovation of young people to address challenges facing communities.

The discussions placed youth participation, economic opportunity and responsible use of technology at the centre of calls for a more inclusive society as Kenya heads towards another electoral cycle.