The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has called for greater and sustained participation of young people in Kenya’s governance and decision-making processes, urging leaders to move beyond using the youth mainly for political mobilisation during elections.
NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui said young people should be recognised as citizens, innovators, entrepreneurs and active partners in shaping the country’s present and future.
Kinyanjui made the remarks during the 4th National Youth Convening held on September 25, 2026, at CLC-Ufungamano House in Nairobi, where young people and stakeholders gathered under the theme “Claim Space, Shaping Kenya.”
He said youth participation should extend from grassroots communities to national decision-making platforms, including policy development, public participation, leadership and oversight.
“We envision a Kenya where governance is inclusive, accountable, transparent, responsive and citizen-centred,” Kinyanjui said.
The NCCK General Secretary also called for leadership that listens to citizens, upholds integrity and constitutional values, and remains accountable for decisions and the use of public resources.
He urged young people to remain informed and actively participate in governance while demanding transparency and accountability from public institutions.
Kinyanjui said meaningful governance requires citizens who understand public affairs, participate in decision-making and are willing to hold leaders accountable.
The NCCK call comes as young people continue to seek a stronger voice in matters affecting governance, economic opportunities and the country’s future.
The convening also called for peaceful, informed and issue-based political participation as Kenya heads towards another electoral cycle, with participants rejecting misinformation, disinformation, political manipulation and ethnic mobilisation.
Beyond governance, the discussions examined the growing role of technology and the digital economy in creating opportunities for young people.
Youth peacebuilding advocate Clare Njagi said technology was increasingly influencing how young people live, learn, work and create economic opportunities, but warned that access to technology alone does not guarantee access to economic advancement.
“Access to technology is not automatically access to opportunity,” Njagi said.
She identified the high cost of digital devices and internet connectivity, unreliable electricity, limited digital skills, inadequate mentorship, lack of capital and restricted access to markets and professional networks as some of the barriers limiting youth participation in the digital economy.
The convening further identified challenges facing youth-led businesses, including cash-flow constraints, customer retention, competition, taxation, record keeping, registration, licensing and operational costs.
Participants called for stronger access to financing, mentorship, partnerships and professional networks to help young people build sustainable enterprises and create employment.
The meeting also considered the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence, with participants calling for responsible use of emerging technologies while raising concerns about data privacy, digital safety, misinformation, inaccurate AI-generated information and excessive dependence on technology.
The NCCK-led discussions also highlighted wider challenges affecting young people, including unemployment, rising living costs, financial pressure and social expectations.
Participants called on the government, private sector, civil society, faith institutions and development partners to invest in systems that can translate young people's skills and ideas into sustainable opportunities.
The convening ultimately placed meaningful youth participation, accountable governance and economic empowerment at the centre of calls to ensure young people have a greater role in shaping Kenya’s development agenda.
