Youth at present account for 75% of Kenya’s inhabitants, making up 55% of the nation’s labor drive. As of 2022, younger individuals comprised 35% of the overall membership of political events in Kenya, considerably growing their participation in politics by means of holding elective positions or influencing political events’ selection of candidates.
Understanding the views of younger individuals on politics and governance is essential in shaping future insurance policies and youth engagement methods. GeoPoll’s performed a survey in March 2025 to gauge their consciousness, participation, and expectations relating to politics and governance in Kenya. Listed here are the important thing findings:
- Consciousness and Curiosity in Politics
- Areas of Curiosity in Politics and Governance
- Most well-liked Youth-Oriented Packages for Political Engagement
- Youth Participation in Politics
- Limitations to Youth Participation in Politics
Consciousness and Curiosity in Politics
The survey knowledge reveals respondents’ vital consciousness and curiosity in political and governance constructions. Notably, 59% of members reported being very conscious of those constructions, whereas 30% recognized as considerably conscious.
When requested about their degree of curiosity in studying extra about political and governance processes, 60% expressing a robust curiosity, and 30% indicating that they’re considerably . This highlights a strong need for engagement and understanding of political processes among the many youth.
Areas of Curiosity in Politics and Governance
Respondents have been requested concerning the particular areas of politics and governance they want to be taught extra about. The commonest space of curiosity was nationwide governance and insurance policies, chosen by 64% of respondents. Youth illustration in governance adopted at 56%, whereas native authorities and group affairs have been of curiosity to 54%. Coverage-making and advocacy additionally gained appreciable consideration at 43%, together with election processes at 40% and political social gathering programs at 31%.
Most well-liked Youth-Oriented Packages for Political Engagement
When requested concerning the varieties of youth-oriented packages that would improve political and governance engagement, management coaching was essentially the most favored possibility, with 66% of respondents supporting it. Moreover, 55% of members endorsed utilizing digital platforms for youth involvement, whereas youth boards and city corridor conferences acquired help from 50% of these surveyed.
How Authorities Establishments Can Assist Youth Engagement
The survey members highlighted a number of methods authorities establishments can help youth engagement in governance. The most well-liked advice was the creation of extra youth participation platforms, supported by 70% of respondents. Offering monetary help for youth-led initiatives was additionally a serious precedence, with 62% in favor. Guaranteeing youth illustration in decision-making processes gained 59% help whereas encouraging inclusive insurance policies that take into account youth pursuits was chosen by 50%. Bettering entry to political info was additionally cited as an important issue, with 47% of respondents advocating for higher info dissemination.
Youth Participation in Politics
In response to Youth Democracy Cohort, whereas younger persons are traditionally lively in Kenya’s public affairs, the nation recorded a 5.27% drop in younger voters in its 2022 basic elections in contrast with the 2017 elections.
The survey discovered that 81% of respondents had voted within the final election, whereas 19% didn’t. Trying forward, 94% of respondents indicated they intend to vote within the upcoming election, demonstrating sturdy electoral engagement among the many youth, anticipated from the latest youth activism, together with the 2024 widespread protests.
Concerning broader political involvement, 53% of respondents comply with politics and governance by means of media. One other 22% take part in native political discussions, whereas 16% actively take part in political campaigns. Nonetheless, 7% don’t take part, and solely 3% maintain or maintain a political social gathering or public workplace place. The frequency of political participation additionally various, with 36% stating they take part sometimes, 22% not often, 18% steadily, 17% constantly, and 6% by no means participating in political actions.
Motivations for Youth Political Engagement
The first motivation for political engagement amongst respondents is the will to create change, with 69% expressing this sentiment. Different motivations embrace representing their group or group (40%), having a private curiosity in political points (36%), in search of profession improvement alternatives (31%), and being influenced by household or friends (22%). These findings counsel that many younger individuals see political involvement as shaping their society and influencing decision-making.
Limitations to Youth Participation in Politics
Regardless of their curiosity, younger individuals face a number of limitations to political participation. The largest impediment recognized was an absence of belief in political leaders and establishments, cited by 61% of respondents. Moreover, 42% pointed to restricted alternatives for youth participation, financial constraints, and insufficient entry to platforms as vital limitations. One other 34% felt {that a} ignorance about political processes hindered their involvement. Social and cultural pressures and political apathy have been talked about by 19% of respondents every.
Notion of Youth Affect in Governance
When requested whether or not they really feel their voices are heard in political and governance choices, 45% of respondents mentioned no, whereas 30% mentioned they’re generally heard. Solely 20% imagine their opinions are genuinely taken under consideration. Equally, when requested whether or not political leaders adequately symbolize the pursuits of younger individuals, 55% responded negatively, whereas 24% imagine they generally do.
Youth Participation and Accountability
A considerable majority (80%) of respondents imagine elevated youth participation in governance can result in better political accountability. When requested how youth can maintain leaders accountable, voting in elections was the preferred response (66%), adopted intently by collaborating in public discussions and debates (63%). Different strategies of accountability included protesting or collaborating in activism (50%), participating in social media campaigns (47%), and reporting points by means of official channels (45%).
Conclusion
The survey outcomes point out that whereas youth are extremely keen on politics and governance, limitations resembling lack of belief, restricted entry to info, and financial constraints hinder their full participation. To foster youth engagement, governments and organizations ought to spend money on management coaching, digital platforms, and monetary help for youth-led initiatives. Guaranteeing illustration in decision-making processes and inspiring open dialogue will strengthen youth involvement and accountability in governance. These insights function a roadmap for policymakers, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to create an enabling surroundings the place younger individuals can actively form their political future.
Methodology/About this Survey
This Unique Survey was run by way of the GeoPoll cell software on the seventeenth of March 2025 in Kenya. The pattern dimension was 487, composed of random GeoPoll app customers above the age of 18. For the reason that survey was randomly distributed, the outcomes are barely skewed in direction of youthful respondents.
GeoPoll is dedicated to empowering youth by supporting organizations, policymakers, and governments in addressing future challenges younger individuals face. Collectively, we are able to leverage knowledge to drive focused interventions, improve youth well-being, and construct extra resilient programs for the longer term. Our mobile-based surveys present a strong and confirmed technique for capturing insights on youth views, behaviors, and public perceptions, notably in under-resourced areas.
Please get in contact with us to get extra particulars about our capabilities, discover extra on youth centered, or different subjects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
