By Sefu Sabila, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
Youth in Kenya are currently at the centre of politicians’ attention, as they present opportunities for more votes in their ballot boxes. The country’s largest population are the youth. This age group is however known for low turn out during polling day.
During the mass registration of new voters, the focus of the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), was on registering more youth as new voters.
Over the years, the youth have been at the centre of nearly all violence in political rallies, often used as key perpetrators of most violence. Mitume area in Tuwan ward, Saboti constituency, is a marked violent area, notable for rowdy and violent youths.
David Wanga a youth from Hospital ward says that the involvement of the church in preaching peace, as well as emphasis from the leaders on the same, is currently helping in maintaining peace. With the youth now coming to terms with the fact that leaders consider them as assets only during the political season, the narrative is now changing.
“Youths are shunning violence. The church is also helping in instilling peace among the youth. These leaders pay you Ksh.500 to disrupt a rally, when the law catches up with you, there’s no help from them. We are now awake to the importance of peace. ” He said.
Kenyan youth are often influenced to vote in one way or another. For example, at the conclusion of the deputy presidential nominations, many female youths were impressed by the choice of Hon. Martha Karua by a major political coalition. Many of them may however not be able to vote if the narrative that they failed to register as voters in the numbers expected is true.
According to Arnold Simiyu, the manifestos and the choice of the deputy presidential candidates influenced the stand of a majority of undecided youths.
“Some of the manifestos present exactly what we want to hear. Manifestos will greatly impact how we will vote. Some of them align with what is affecting us, this is going to change the kind of leadership I’ll vote in.” He explained.
Entrusting youth with elective posts and ministerial appointments, helped in motivating the youth to engage in mature politics. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet reshuffle awhile ago, saw the inclusion of youth in various ministry as CASs, thereby positively influencing their involvement in politics, with many now eyeing top elective seats, Antony Kimathi, a medical student in Kitale affirms.
“This has been a value edition for us, encouraging us to get into politics. The appointment of able minds like David Osiany and Mercy Mwangangi as CASs and other positions is changing the mindset among the youth on leadership and politics.” He said.
Related stories
https://www.theyouthcafe.com/perspectives/the-role-of-youth-in-peacebuilding-and-conflict-resolution
https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/yt/yt10/yt210/the-importance-of-youth-participation-in-formal
