Kenya’s youth are ready to take the lead in governance, says Angel Mbuthia, Jubilee Youth League Chairperson.
She highlighted their energy, access to information, and drive to challenge old systems as fueling a “youth revolution” that could transform the nation’s leadership landscape.
Mbuthia, during an interview with Radio Generation on Thursday, emphasized the need for meaningful youth engagement, stressing that opportunities should go beyond token representation.
“This gives me the drive to keep on moving every day and to keep on pushing for a better Kenya where members of my generation are actually at the forefront, not just to tick a box, but meaningfully engaged,” she said.
She also criticized strict experience requirements that limit young people from leadership roles in public institutions.
“Even for a county job of a director for youth, they ask you for 10 years of experience. I mean, why do you need 10 years of experience to become a director for youth in your county?” she asked, revealing that she is challenging some of these barriers in court.
Reflecting on the energy of young Kenyans, Mbuthia recalled their activism outside parliament last year, describing it as a powerful reminder of their potential.
“I saw our brains being splattered outside parliament in June last year. And I think these are things that keep settling in my mind, even when you wake up for a morning conversation like this one,” she said.
Mbuthia urged the country to recognize that the youth are not just participants but can be leaders who drive real change, equipped to navigate the digital and technological revolutions of the 21st century.
Kenya has a large and youthful population, with up to 75% of the population under the age 35. While the specific age range for "youth" can vary, common definitions place it between 15 and 35 years, with the Kenyan Constitution defining youth as 18-34 year-olds.
In April 2025, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged young people to stand up for good governance and shun short-term political gains.
Uhuru, who has adopted a more activist tone after stepping down in 2022, has recently struck a chord with Gen Z, pledging to raise the political consciousness of the young population.
Describing the period as an “independence moment”, he said the youth were the last line of defence in the battle to save the heart and soul of Africa for the sake of future generations.
Delivering the keynote address at the second annual Guild Leaders’ Summit 2025 at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, Uhuru urged the youth to embrace their role as freedom fighters of this era.
“You have the numbers, you have the time and you have the energy to get involved and stay involved in governance discussions until you effect the changes you wish to see,” he noted.
The former President highlighted Africa’s demographic advantage, with more than 65 percent of its population under the age of 25, as a key opportunity to break free from cycles of division and corruption.
He emphasised the urgent need for integrity-driven leadership and self-reliance to address the continent’s pressing challenges.
