Kenya will hold National Youth Council elections beginning July 5, 2026, marking the first such exercise in 14 years, according to a Kenya Gazette notice issued by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya.
In the notice dated April 17, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary designated the election dates in line with Regulation 19(3) of the National Youth Council (Election of Certain Council Members) Regulations, 2021, under the National Youth Council Act (Cap. 132).
The announcement formally sets in motion a structured electoral process aimed at restoring youth representation in national governance structures.
The elections will be conducted in a phased, three-tier system beginning at the ward level on July 5, 2026. This will be followed by constituency-level elections on July 16, 2026, and will culminate in the National Youth Congress elections on July 27, 2026. The process is designed to progressively elevate representatives from the grassroots to the national level.
The elections are open to Kenyan youth aged between 18 and 35 years, who will participate in electing representatives through the structured system beginning at the ward level and progressing upward through the constituency to the national stage. The process is designed to ensure broad representation of youth voices from across the country in national decision-making structures.
The process aims to elect 16 council members to represent youth interests within government structures. According to information published on the National Youth Council website, ward-level elections will produce six delegates per ward - three men and three women. At the constituency level, ward delegates will elect two representatives - one man and one woman.
At the national level, 580 constituency delegates will elect eight members to the National Youth Council, who will subsequently nominate a chairperson.
To qualify as a candidate, one must be a Kenyan youth, possess a valid national identification card, be a registered voter, and secure a nomination from at least 50 registered youths. Eligible participants are also required to register on the National Youth Council website to vote or vie in the elections.
The Election Supervisory Committee will oversee the process to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the exercise.
The National Youth Council is mandated to represent the interests of young people in government decision-making and to coordinate youth-focused policies and programmes. Its responsibilities include promoting youth participation in leadership, supporting employment initiatives, and strengthening youth engagement in national development.
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