Young Kenyans Demand End to Tokenism and Direct Inclusion in Governance and Digital Economy

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 27 – Youth and Young people empowerment stakeholders at the 4th National Youth Convening in Nairobi have called for end to tokenism in national development calling for direct inclusion in governance, digital infrastructure, and economic opportunity structures.

The five-day convening held from September 21 to 25, 2026 by the National Council of Churches of Kenya(NCCK) under the theme “Claiming Spaces and Shaping Kenya” highlighted digital access and policy representation as primary catalysts for meaningful empowerment where youth transition from passive beneficiaries to active co-creators of policy and economic solutions.

The annual convening provides opportunity for young people to analyze systemic marginalization and exclusion they face in society and develop actionable mitigations.They demand for continuous, meaningful engagement in democratic processes.

Convening leaders emphasized that youth participation must extend beyond being mobilized as voters during election seasons.​

“If we do not organize, we will agonize,” they said urging young Kenyans to claim civic spaces responsibly, demand institutional accountability, and reject political manipulation, ethnic division, and election-related disinformation.​

Key governance priorities the youth outlined include:

Continuous Policy Engagement: Institutionalizing youth involvement in legislative oversight, public participation forums, and budget allocations.​

Ethical Leadership: Demanding transparent public institutions and leaders who uphold constitutional integrity above personal or political interests.​

Peaceful Civic Action: Committing to informed, issue-based political participation before, during, and after electoral cycles.

​Addressing Kenya’s growing tech and startup ecosystem, the delegates acknowledged the transformative potential of social media, digital payments, and artificial intelligence (AI).

From young entrepreneurs leveraging micro-platforms like WhatsApp to creatives using AI tools for business operations, technology remains a vital pillar for youth livelihoods.​

However, they cautioned that digital access does not automatically equate to economic opportunity. Unreliable power supply, high device costs, expensive internet, and certification hurdles continue to lock out millions from the digital economy.

Participants called on stakeholders to address key systemic barriers: Digital Literacy and Safety: Expanding training in critical thinking and source verification to counter AI-generated misinformation and protect user data.​

Infrastructure Investment: Lowering broadband costs and improving rural energy reliability to prevent digital marginalization.​

Intellectual Property Protections: Strengthening awareness around royalties and ownership so young creatives can commercialize their work safely.​

While celebrating the resourcefulness of Kenya’s youth, they highlighted a critical transition: moving young people from daily survival tactics commonly referred to as “hustles” to scalable, sustainable enterprises.​

Young founders without traditional collateral or established corporate networks face severe barriers, including burdensome taxation, complex licensing procedures, cash flow instability, and limited credit access.

​To turn community-focused innovations into viable long-term businesses, delegates urged government bodies, the private sector, and international development partners to move beyond rhetoric and establish accessible financing, mentorship networks, and market linkages.​​

Additionally, they brought personal wellbeing to the forefront, linking economic hardship directly to mental health struggles among young people.​

Unemployment, financial stress, and social pressure often create silent distress that is masked by digital presence or unfairly dismissed as laziness.

Convening leaders advocated for systemic mental health support, safe community spaces, and livelihood programs focused on holistic personal development rather than technical skills alone.​

Concluding with a call for intergenerational partnership, the declaration stresses that Kenya’s challenges cannot be solved by youth in isolation.

Young leaders expressed readiness to combine their innovation and energy with the wisdom and experience of older generations to shape a transparent, technology-driven and equitable nation.