In Nairobi, Kenya, young people have demanded greater and more ongoing involvement in the country’s governance, economic development and technology fields, stating that their role should not be limited to voting and being mobilised only during election times.
Under the theme of “Claiming Spaces and Shaping Kenya”, young people and various stakeholders stated that Kenya needs systems which are more inclusive, accountable and citizen-centred in order to offer young people meaningful opportunities to take part in decision-making at all levels, from the local to the national level.
The declaration is against the background of changing economic conditions, limited job opportunities, difficulties facing entrepreneurs and fast technological development. The participants stated that young people should not be seen simply as beneficiaries of decisions taken by others, but rather as citizens, innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders and creators who have a part to play in shaping the country’s present and future.
The young people demanded a form of involvement which should extend beyond elections to cover policy development, public participation, leadership, oversight and the various conversations that affect their communities. They also emphasized the need for accountable leadership, integrity, respect for constitutional values and the responsible use of public resources.
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As Kenya prepares for another electoral cycle, the statement appeals for peaceful, informed and issue-based political participation and at the same time opposes the spread of misinformation, disinformation, political manipulation and ethnic mobilisation. It is also advised that young people should understand the electoral process, check information and take part responsibly before, during and after elections.
Technology came out as a further important field, with young people seeing digital platforms, artificial intelligence and digital payments as tools which could broaden the possibilities in the areas of entrepreneurship, employment, learning, markets and civic participation.
The declaration, on the other hand, points out that having access to technology does not necessarily mean that people have access to opportunity; young people still encounter various obstacles such as the cost of devices and internet connectivity, unreliable power, limited digital skills, insufficient mentorship, a lack of capital, difficulties with certification, and restricted access to markets and networks.
The participants also urged a move away from what they had referred to as merely managing by means of “hustle” and towards the establishment of sustainable businesses and solutions which could grow, create jobs and have a lasting impact.
The challenges encountered by young businesses were identified as including pressure over cash flow, difficulties in retaining customers, competition, taxation, the need for proper record keeping, the requirement to register and obtain licenses as well as high operational costs. It was also noted that young founders who had no collateral or who did not already have established networks experienced problems in accessing financing, mentorship, partnerships and social networks.
The declaration also stresses the increasing significance of treating creative work as both a profession and an economic product, and it enhances young creatives’ awareness of intellectual property, ownership and royalties.
With regard to artificial intelligence, the young people welcomed the new technologies but at the same time emphasized the importance of human judgment, creativity and responsibility. They expressed concerns about data privacy, digital safety, misinformation, errors in information produced by AI, child protection and being too dependent on technology.
The declaration aims at getting young people to become creators of technology rather than just consumers, and at at the same time improving their digital literacy and their ability to verify information in a situation where the environment is more and more influenced by AI-generated content and misinformation.
The participants also connected economic pressures with the general well-being of young people, mentioning unemployment, increasing living costs, repeated rejection, financial pressure, difficulties in relationships, and social expectations as factors which affect young people’s experiences and their sense of dignity.
They asked for better support services, for safe environments in which to have honest conversations, for suitable professional care and methods of providing a livelihood that take into account young people’s general well-being as well as their technical skills.
The declaration finally asks that governments, the private sector, civil society, faith-based organisations, development partners and all other stakeholders should put money into practical skills, affordable digital infrastructure, financing, mentorship, networks and markets.
The young people stated that they are willing to work over several generations, joining the experience and knowledge of the older generations with their own energy, creativity and innovation.
The statement on “claiming spaces” goes beyond simply occupying them; it involves using those spaces to create value, solve problems and influence the future.
The declaration ends by urging young people to take responsibility for helping to shape the country: “This is our space. This is our responsibility. This is our Kenya.”
