Kenyan Youth Unite Demanding Jobs, Accountability, Digital Opportunities and Mental Health Support

Reporter: Walter Arose

In Summary:

Kenyan youth are calling for a fundamental shift in how the country approaches youth participation, employment, technology, entrepreneurship and mental health, urging the government and other stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and invest in systems that give young people meaningful opportunities to shape Kenya’s future.

Kenyan youth are mounting a renewed call for government, the private sector, civil society and other institutions to create an environment where young people can participate meaningfully in governance, build sustainable enterprises, access technology and secure dignified livelihoods.

The call is emerging as a broader national conversation on the place of young people in Kenya’s economic, political and social future, with youth insisting that they should no longer be treated merely as beneficiaries of government programmes or mobilized during election periods.

Instead, young people want to be recognized as active citizens, entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and partners in decision-making.

At the centre of the call is a demand for governance that is inclusive, transparent, accountable and responsive to citizens, with young people seeking greater involvement in policy development, public participation, leadership and oversight from the grassroots to the national level.

The youth are also challenging political systems that engage them primarily during elections, arguing that meaningful participation must continue beyond voting.

As Kenya heads towards another electoral cycle, they are calling for peaceful and issue-based political engagement while rejecting misinformation, disinformation, ethnic mobilization and political manipulation that can divide communities and undermine informed participation.

The call also extends to the country’s digital transformation, with young people arguing that technology has become an important space for employment, entrepreneurship, education, creativity and civic participation.

From small businesses using WhatsApp to reach customers to young innovators using artificial intelligence to develop proposals, create content and improve business operations, technology is already shaping how young Kenyans work and compete.

However, the youth argue that access to technology does not automatically translate into access to opportunity.

The high cost of devices and internet connectivity, unreliable electricity, limited digital skills, inadequate mentorship, lack of financing and restricted access to markets continue to prevent many young people from turning ideas into viable businesses and solutions.

The youth are therefore calling for digital policies and investments that expand opportunity rather than deepen existing inequalities.

Entrepreneurship is another major area of concern, with young people seeking a shift from what they describe as a culture of survival and short-term hustling towards sustainable enterprises capable of growing, creating jobs and delivering long-term community impact.

They are calling for stronger access to financing, mentorship, markets, business networks and practical support to help young entrepreneurs navigate registration, taxation, licensing, cash flow and other operational challenges.

For young people in the creative economy, there is also a push for greater recognition of creative work as a legitimate profession and economic product, alongside stronger awareness and protection of intellectual property, ownership and royalties.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as another defining issue in the youth agenda.

While young people recognize AI as a powerful tool for learning, employment, entrepreneurship and creativity, they are also calling for responsible adoption that protects data, privacy, digital identities and human judgment.

The growing use of AI-generated content has also increased the need for stronger digital literacy and information verification, particularly as misinformation and manipulated content become increasingly difficult to distinguish from credible information.

The youth are consequently calling for education and skills development systems that do more than prepare young people to consume technology.

They want young Kenyans equipped to create, innovate and build solutions using emerging technologies while understanding their risks and responsibilities.

Mental health and dignified livelihoods have also become central to the national youth conversation.

Young people are highlighting the pressure created by unemployment, rising living costs, repeated rejection, financial difficulties, social expectations and uncertainty about the future.

They are calling for stronger support systems and safe spaces where young people can discuss challenges openly and access appropriate professional care, while urging policymakers to address the economic and social conditions that contribute to distress.

The wider message is that youth challenges cannot be solved by young people alone.

The youth are calling for government, businesses, civil society, faith-based institutions and development partners to invest in practical systems that connect young people to skills, financing, technology, mentorship, markets and leadership opportunities.

They are also emphasizing the importance of intergenerational cooperation, arguing that Kenya can benefit from combining the experience of older generations with the energy, creativity and innovation of its younger population.