Kamukunji youth engage leaders in dialogue on social issues

Youth in Kamukunji Constituency are the latest to engage their local leaders in a dialogue addressing social issues affecting their community. The session, held at the California Resource Centre, is part of an ongoing series of town hall meetings organised by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) Kenya, aimed at strengthening youth engagement in governance and social accountability across the country.

Similar sessions have already taken place in Kibra, Kariobangi, and Mathare in Nairobi, as well as in other regions, with the goal of turning the youth's newfound awareness of their rights into action at the ballot box and maintaining their demand for good governance.

“We want to hear the issues affecting the youth who feel leaderless. We want them to understand the importance of civic engagement,” said Pamela Inoti, a Senior Program Officer at CMD.

These sessions are also driven by the noticeable lack of youth participation in the last general elections, where many either did not vote or did not seek elective office due to long-standing apathy towards governance issues. This is significant given that youth aged 15 to 35 make up over 70 per cent of the country’s population.

“What does this mean for democracy as we approach 2027? We hope to see a paradigm shift. We are witnessing young people registering for IDs, and those currently in high school will soon be eligible to vote,” Inoti added.

Dorine Wafula, one the youth who attended the Townhall meeting organised by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy Kenya at Califonia Resource Centre in Eastleigh Nairobi on August 15. (Justine Ondieki)

During the session, participants raised pressing concerns such as delays in implementing ward projects, whether the Nairobi County budget included funds for youth in the last financial year, criteria for property demolitions in Nairobi, and the process for allocating manual jobs like the Green Army initiative that involves unemployed youth in cleanup activities across the city.

Participants also sought clarity on the roles of MCAs as their representatives in the county assembly and whether their input would be relayed to the appropriate authorities for action.

California Ward MCA Hashim Kamau, the only MCA who skipped some sessions of the Nairobi MCAs retreat in Naivasha to attend the town hall, took the participants through the question and answer session explaining the reasons behind some stalled projects like Desert Grounds that meant to improve sports talent in the ward.

“The county currently faces funding limitations. Contractors lack the funds, and by the time money is available, projects have been significantly delayed,” he said. He added that the Grounds will be fitted with astroturf within three weeks after arrival from Turkey.

Hashim further noted that the 2023-2024 Nairobi County budget did not allocate funds for a "youth fund." However, he emphasised that with the current youth activism, it is crucial to ensure youth interests are considered in the 2024-2025 budget, whether through sports or other initiatives.

California Ward MCA Hashim Kamau addressing the youth. (Justine Ondieki)

He encouraged the youth to participate in a public exercise for the County’s Annual Development Plan on Wednesday at the Eastleigh Social Hall, to ensure their needs are included in the budget-making process.

Regarding the demolition of houses on riparian land, the MCA explained that this is an initiative by the National Government through the Nairobi River Commission. He acknowledged, however, that the process has stalled after a “discriminative and inhumane” eviction exercise that left some houses untouched.

California Ward, also known as Calif Ward, is famous for Calif Records, a Kenyan record label that produced major Genge hits in the early 2000s, as well as for its popular pilau and biryani restaurants, such as Mpambe Restaurant opposite Pumwani Maternity Hospital.

Hashim encouraged the youth to be active in social issues and community projects, a path that led him to politics from his early days in football.

“I was elected young, without much experience in public speaking, but I earned people’s favour through my engagement in community activities. Back then, I had no money to give, but I became known for my involvement in football and was elected. If you engage in community activities, you too can succeed,” he said.

He urged the youth to challenge the wave of tribal politics that denies potential leaders a chance to serve.