A section of youth has stormed the National Youth Council (NYC) offices in Nairobi’s Central Business District after the Council postponed indefinitely its elections that were scheduled to begin on Sunday, July 5.
The faction of the NYC has given the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy & Sports a two-week ultimatum to hold the elections countrywide, or else they’ll call upon all youth to stage protests countrywide.
On Monday morning, drama ensued at the NYC headquarters situated at Absa Towers in the CBD after one of the youth leaders, Fridah Kemunto, swore herself in as the Chairperson of the Council.
A section of youth has stormed the National Youth Council (NYC) offices in Nairobi’s Central Business District after the Council postponed its elections indefinitely. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)
The group has vowed to continue pushing for the elections, insisting that the Youth Ministry has taken them for a ride for a very long time.
Kemunto pointed out that they are willing to work with the NYC leadership to ensure that the elections are held as soon as possible, without further delays.
“If an election can be gazetted and postponed indefinitely, what guarantees do we have that the 2027 General Election will be held as scheduled? The youth are in grief,” she said.
In a swift rejoinder, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council, Gloria Wawira, insisted that the elections would be held in due course, explaining that the planned exercise was postponed due to logistical challenges.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council, Gloria Wawira speaks to the press outside the council's offices in Nairobi on July 6, 2026. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)
“We first need to do voter education and sensitisation before the elections are held. You cannot swear in yourself before we conduct the elections, including at the grassroots level,” she said.
Wawira has condemned what she termed as ‘culture of goonism’ saying time has come for the youth in the country to be candid and not allow to be used as a political tool to drive other people’s agendas.
It was not clear whether the postponement of NYC has anything to do with the recent fatal shooting incident allegedly by a bodyguard attached to the Youth Affairs Principal Secretary, Fikirini Jacobs.
The PS has since recorded a statement with the police and has also apologised to the family of the slain youth mobiliser, Cecil Ouma, saying that he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life, following the incident involving his security detail.
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