With over 70% of Kenyans being young people, Wanjiku Thiga, National Youth Caucus Chairperson of the DCP party, is urging youth to register with political parties to play a meaningful role in the upcoming 2027 elections.

She warns that without party membership, young people risk being sidelined during nominations and losing out to well-established older politicians who have access to vital resources and support for their campaigns.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation, Thiga emphasized the importance of political awareness and organization among youth. She described being partyless as “quite dangerous” because it excludes young people from key processes that determine leadership.

“If you’re not a party member, you won’t be able to support a fellow young person who’s running for office,” she said on Friday, adding that party registration is crucial for meaningful participation.

Thiga also addressed concerns about ethnic identity, clarifying that knowing one’s roots is not tribalism but a way to build personal identity and strength.

“Knowing who you are, where you are coming from, your culture, your heritage, your story is the most important part,” she explained. She encouraged young people to read the book Decolonize Your Mind to challenge harmful perspectives shaped by colonial history.

On leadership challenges in Kenya, Thiga said the country currently suffers from “wrong leaders” who are corrupt and focused on personal gain rather than serving the people.

Many such leaders rarely speak up in Parliament, where decisions on resources and development are made. She cited neglected areas such as Banapesayote and Imeda constituency as examples of communities left behind.

For young Kenyans, the path forward is to support transformative leaders who resonate with their aspirations. With the majority of the population being youth, Thiga stressed that it is essential young leaders emerge from their ranks.

“If we are partyless, then we won’t be able to take part in nominations,” she said, explaining that only those registered with political parties can participate fully in the electoral process.

Drawing from her own experience running for office in 2022, Thiga warned that without proper organization, youth risk losing influence to older politicians who have strong party structures.

She cautioned young leaders against running as independent candidates, describing the challenges of going up against well-established parties with better resources and networks. “You’ll be fighting not against people but against a party,” she said.