Kenya's Youth Are Not the Future — They Are the Present
There is a phrase that every Kenyan politician loves: "The youth are the leaders of tomorrow."
It sounds inspiring. It sounds supportive. But let me tell you what it really means: sit down, be quiet, and wait your turn.
Tomorrow never comes.
The Maths Are Clear
Over 75 percent of Kenya's population is under the age of 35. This is not a minority group. This is not a special interest. This is the overwhelming majority of the country.
Yet look at who makes decisions. Look at who sits in county assemblies, in parliament, in boardrooms, in procurement committees. The average age tells a very different story from the demographics.
We have built a political and economic system where the largest generation in Kenya's history is systematically locked out of meaningful participation. And then we wonder why young people are angry. Why they feel disconnected. Why some turn to crime or substance abuse or simply give up.
The Waiting Room Mentality
In Kenya, you are supposed to wait. Wait until you are old enough. Wait until you have enough money. Wait until the right godfather taps you on the shoulder. Wait until you have paid enough dues.
But wait for what exactly?
The economy is not waiting. Technology is not waiting. Climate change is not waiting. Population growth is not waiting. The problems facing Kenya are urgent and they demand the energy, creativity, and determination of young people right now — not in some distant tomorrow.
A 28-year-old with a degree in agricultural engineering knows more about modern farming techniques than most of the people currently making agricultural policy. A 25-year-old software developer understands the digital economy better than the committees regulating it. A 30-year-old teacher sees the failures of the education system every single day.
These people do not need to wait. They need to be heard.
What Young People Actually Need
Access, Not Handouts
The youth empowerment programmes in Kenya are often insulting. A one-day seminar about entrepreneurship. A wheelbarrow. A bag of cement. These are not solutions. They are photo opportunities.
What young people actually need:
- Affordable credit with realistic terms — not the predatory loans disguised as youth funds
- Market access — connections to buyers, platforms, and supply chains
- Mentorship — real, sustained guidance from experienced professionals, not one-off motivational speeches
- Fair competition — procurement processes where a young person's bid is evaluated on merit, not on who they know
Space in Decision-Making
Every county assembly committee should have youth representation. Not as observers. Not as interns fetching tea. As voting members with real input on policy.
The same applies to boards of state corporations, regulatory bodies, and development committees. If 75 percent of the population is young, then young voices should be present wherever decisions affecting their lives are made.
Education That Matches Reality
Our education system still produces graduates for an economy that no longer exists. We train people for employment in a country where formal jobs are scarce. We emphasise academic certificates over practical skills. We celebrate university admission while ignoring the fact that many graduates cannot find work.
We need a complete rethink:
- Technical and vocational training must be elevated, not treated as a consolation prize for those who missed university
- Digital skills should be part of every curriculum from primary school
- Entrepreneurship should be taught through practice, not just theory
- The connection between education and actual labour market needs must be deliberate and constantly updated
A Message to Young Kenyans
I am not going to patronise you with another speech about how special you are. You already know you are capable. What you need to hear is this:
Do not wait for permission. The system is not going to hand you power willingly. You must organise, you must demand, and you must build regardless of the obstacles.
Register to vote. Show up at public participation forums — the ones where county budgets are decided and nobody under 40 attends. Start businesses even when the environment is hostile. Support each other. Buy from each other. Mentor the ones coming behind you.
And when someone tells you that you are the leaders of tomorrow, correct them.
You are the leaders of today. Act like it.
A Message to My Generation
To my fellow leaders who are older: we need to let go. Not of all positions — experience matters. But of the monopoly we hold on power and decision-making.
The young people of Kenya are not a threat. They are the reinforcement we need. They bring energy, innovation, and urgency that our generation sometimes lacks. Instead of blocking them, we should be opening doors.
The best legacy any leader can leave is not a building or a road. It is a generation that was empowered to lead.
To every young person in Kapsoit Ward and Kericho County — I see you. Your ambition is valid. Your frustration is justified. And your time is now, not tomorrow. Let us build together.