On International Youth Day 2026, the Commission, with support from the Hanns Seidel Foundation, convened youth leaders and representatives of youth-led organisations for a discussion on “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations – Framing Youth Aspirations in Governance.”
The conversation examined what needs to change for young people’s aspirations to translate into influence, opportunity and meaningful participation.
Participants included representatives of the National Youth Council Kenya, Kenya Young Parliamentary Association, youth with disabilities, the Youth Congress and the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy.
The discussions recognised that young people face different barriers depending on gender, disability, marginalisation and economic circumstances, while sharing aspirations for dignity, opportunity, decent livelihoods, equality and accountable leadership.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, participants emphasised that youth participation must extend beyond voting to include leadership, policymaking, civic education, election observation and decision-making.
The message from the engagement was that meaningful youth participation begins well before election day, including in policy design, budgeting and decisions on public opportunities and services.
