Kenyan youth have diversified their strategy in the fight for justice and good governance. Civil education has been initiated on social media platforms and the ground with spearheads like Kasmuel McOure and Mercy Tarus hinting at a nationwide tour to educate the masses on good governance.
However, the National Youth Council, mandated to champion the plight of youth and support such initiatives is no longer a going concern.
The National Youth Council (NYC) was established in 2009 by an Act of Parliament with a clear mission: to champion the interests of Kenya’s youth.
Funded by taxpayers and aimed at empowering the young generation, the NYC was envisioned as a democratic body representing young people from the grassroots—starting at the ward level through a rigorous election process—up to the national level, known as the National Youth Congress, or YOUTH BUNGE.
In 2023, the council received KES 68 million to support its activities, but the reality of its operations paints a grim picture. Allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and illegalities have plagued the council, leading many to question its legitimacy and effectiveness.
One of the most pressing concerns is the bill sponsored by 60-year-old Joshua Kandie, the MP for Baringo Central, to “de-politicize” the NYC. Critics argue that this move would undermine the very purpose for which the council was created—advocating for youth rights and holding the government accountable.
The NYC should be a critical platform for delivering petitions to Parliament, such as the demand to invalidate the controversial university funding model. It should also play a vital role in advocating for easier access to government documents like IDs, providing financial and technical support to young people promoting civic education, and even bailing out arrested youths.
However, the council has failed to deliver. Despite its significant funding, the NYC has been accused of squandering and misappropriating taxpayer money. The current CEO, Margaret Kiogora, is allegedly holding her position illegally, as she is not a youth, violating the National Youth Council Act of 2009.
The last election to establish a functional NYC was held in 2011, and since then, there has been no Board of Management to oversee its operations. The absence of this oversight has allowed rampant corruption to flourish.
The Auditor General has repeatedly flagged the council for the wastage of taxpayers’ money, with millions of shillings allegedly lost through fictitious claims, ghost projects, and unauthorized expenses.
In one particularly egregious example, an officer and two board members reportedly received KES 3 million for a non-existent event in Morocco. Despite these alarming findings, no one has been held accountable.
The council’s failure to fulfill its mandate has led to widespread calls for its dissolution. Many believe that a new election should be held to establish a legitimate and functional NYC, as stipulated in the Act.
Such a move would reinvigorate the council’s mission and allow it to serve as a vehicle for producing a new generation of youthful politicians capable of addressing the challenges facing Kenya today.
In its current state, NYC is failing the very people it was created to serve. It is time for a change, a return to the original vision of a council that truly champions the interests of Kenya’s youth, free from the corruption and mismanagement that has tarnished its reputation.
Only then can it activate a robust civic education drive and empower the next generation of leaders to guide the country out of its current challenges.
Source: @Amerix
