The Government has formally announced the commencement of preparations for the long-overdue National Youth Council (NYC) elections, marking the first time the polls will be held since 2012.
The announcement signals a renewed effort by the Kenya Kwanza administration to entrench democratic participation of the youth and uphold inclusive representation through transparent governance.
Speaking during a press briefing at the State Department for Youth Affairs and Communities in Nairobi, Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs confirmed that the Ministry had received official communication from the Cabinet Secretary authorizing the electoral process.
“We have now received formal communication from the Cabinet Secretary, granting authority to conduct the NYC elections. This gives us the go-ahead to begin structured, inclusive, and transparent preparations,” he said.
Jacobs reiterated that the NYC elections are not merely a formality but a vital step towards empowering Kenya’s young population to engage actively in governance and policy-making issues.
He stated that the elections reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of the youth are not only heard but also reflected in national decision-making platforms.
“These elections are not only about leadership. They affirm our collective belief that young people must have a seat at the table in shaping Kenya’s governance and development,” he said.
Established under the National Youth Council Act, Cap. 132 of the Laws of Kenya, the NYC serves as the legally recognized umbrella body representing the interests of Kenyan youth.
The Council is composed of eight youth elected through a national process and up to eight others nominated by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for youth affairs. The first NYC election took place in 2012, and while the term of that council was extended once, it eventually lapsed in 2019.
Efforts to hold fresh elections were derailed in 2022 due to the General Election, while a 2023 amendment bill that proposed a transition from elections to a competitive selection model through County Youth Directors was rejected.
The proposal was deemed unconstitutional as it contravened Article 55 of the Constitution, which guarantees youth the right to participate in political processes and in response, the Ministry appointed a National Steering Committee in November 2024 to coordinate preparations and embarked on stakeholder consultations and resource mobilization.
Following the Cabinet’s approval in July 2025, the Ministry now has the mandate and resources required to deliver a credible election.
Jacobs stated that the elections will be conducted in four structured phases. In the first phase, eligible youth candidates must be nominated by at least 50 registered youth voters. At the ward level, each of the 1,450 wards nationwide will elect six delegates three male and three female bringing the total to 8,700 delegates.
These delegates will then proceed to the constituency level, where two youth (one male and one female) from each of the 290 constituencies will be elected, bringing the number of constituency delegates to 580.
The final stage of the election will take place at the National Youth Congress, where the 580 constituency delegates will elect eight youth to serve as NYC Council members.
The Cabinet Secretary will nominate an additional eight members per the NYC Act, and Congress will also nominate 31 substitute members to support leadership transitions and ensure operational continuity within the Council.
To qualify for election, a youth must be under 35 years of age as of December 31 of the election year, possess a minimum of a secondary school certificate, and provide a police clearance certificate or a letter of recommendation from the local Chief and also Candidates are required to meet the integrity standards outlined under Chapter Six of the Constitution and uphold inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
Jacobs indicated that the Ministry will prioritize civic education to raise awareness about the NYC election process and stated that the Cabinet Secretary will soon gazette the official election dates, as required by law.
“Our priority now is to ensure that youth across the country understand the election process and their role in shaping the future through informed participation,” he said.
Calling on young people across the country to participate actively, the PS noted that this was a historic opportunity for youth who had previously been excluded from the process.
“I was in Form Two when the last NYC elections were held in 2012. That means most youth today have never experienced this process. This is your time to show up, to vote, to lead,” he stated.
Jacobs also made a passionate appeal to development partners and stakeholders to support the process. He also urged both public and private actors to provide financial and logistical assistance to ensure the successful rollout of civic education, coordination, and the overall electoral process.
“To our institutional and development partners, both public and private, we extend a sincere request for support to uphold the integrity of this process and enhance youth engagement at all levels,” he said.
Jacobs also thanked President William Ruto for approving the Ministry’s budget and reiterating his commitment to youth inclusion.
“He has once again demonstrated true leadership by backing this initiative. This is not just about elections, it is about nation-building and preparing a generation of ethical and visionary leaders,” he stated.
The NYC elections are expected to revamp the country’s youth governance architecture and lay a firm foundation for effective participation in national development.
