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 whole membership of political events in Kenya, considerably rising their participation in politics by way of holding elective positions or influencing political events’ alternative 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 popular Youth-Oriented Applications for Political Engagement
Youth Participation in Politics
Obstacles to Youth Participation in Politics
Consciousness and Curiosity in Politics
The survey information 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 stage of curiosity in studying extra about political and governance processes, 60% expressing a powerful curiosity, and 30% indicating that they’re considerably . This highlights a sturdy need for engagement and understanding of political processes among the many youth.
Areas of Curiosity in Politics and Governance
Respondents had been requested in regards to the particular areas of politics and governance they wish to study extra about. The most typical 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 neighborhood affairs had been of curiosity to 54%. Coverage-making and advocacy additionally gained appreciable consideration at 43%, together with election processes at 40% and political celebration techniques at 31%.
Most popular Youth-Oriented Applications for Political Engagement
When requested in regards to the varieties of youth-oriented packages that might improve political and governance engagement, management coaching was probably the most favored choice, with 66% of respondents supporting it. Moreover, 55% of members endorsed utilizing digital platforms for youth involvement, whereas youth boards and city corridor conferences obtained assist from 50% of these surveyed.
How Authorities Establishments Can Help Youth Engagement
The survey members highlighted a number of methods authorities establishments can assist youth engagement in governance. The most well-liked advice was the creation of extra youth participation platforms, supported by 70% of respondents. Offering monetary assist for youth-led initiatives was additionally a serious precedence, with 62% in favor. Guaranteeing youth illustration in decision-making processes gained 59% assist whereas encouraging inclusive insurance policies that think about youth pursuits was chosen by 50%. Bettering entry to political info was additionally cited as a vital issue, with 47% of respondents advocating for higher info dissemination.
Youth Participation in Politics
In accordance with Youth Democracy Cohort, whereas younger individuals 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 way of media. One other 22% take part in native political discussions, whereas 16% actively take part in political campaigns. Nevertheless, 7% don’t take part, and solely 3% maintain or maintain a political celebration or public workplace place. The frequency of political participation additionally different, with 36% stating they take part often, 22% not often, 18% incessantly, 17% persistently, 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 embody representing their neighborhood or group (40%), having a private curiosity in political points (36%), searching for profession improvement alternatives (31%), and being influenced by household or friends (22%). These findings recommend that many younger individuals see political involvement as shaping their society and influencing decision-making.
Obstacles 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} lack of expertise about political processes hindered their involvement. Social and cultural pressures and political apathy had 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 stated no, whereas 30% stated they’re generally heard. Solely 20% imagine their opinions are genuinely taken into consideration. Equally, when requested whether or not political leaders adequately characterize the pursuits of younger individuals, 55% responded negatively, whereas 24% imagine they often do.
Youth Participation and Accountability
A considerable majority (80%) of respondents imagine elevated youth participation in governance can result in larger political accountability. When requested how youth can maintain leaders accountable, voting in elections was the most well-liked response (66%), adopted intently by taking part in public discussions and debates (63%). Different strategies of accountability included protesting or taking part in activism (50%), participating in social media campaigns (47%), and reporting points by way of official channels (45%).
Conclusion
The survey outcomes point out that whereas youth are extremely eager about politics and governance, limitations comparable to lack of belief, restricted entry to info, and financial constraints hinder their full participation. To foster youth engagement, governments and organizations ought to put money into management coaching, digital platforms, and monetary assist 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 cellular utility on the seventeenth of March 2025 in Kenya. The pattern dimension was 487, composed of random GeoPoll app customers above the age of 18. Because the survey was randomly distributed, the outcomes are barely skewed in the 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 will leverage information to drive focused interventions, improve youth well-being, and construct extra resilient techniques for the long run. Our mobile-based surveys present a sturdy and confirmed methodology for capturing insights on youth views, behaviors, and public perceptions, notably in under-resourced areas.
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