Young people say they play a key role in politics

As part of my fieldwork on the role of youth political participation and representation within political parties in Kenya, in August 2009 I held two focus group discussions with youth in Mvita Constituency, Mombasa. Unlike mainland Kenya, which is divided between traditional African religions and Christianity, Mvita is predominantly Islamic and the majority of the young people on this island strictly adhere to the regulations of this faith.

These young people told me that the socio-structural structure, including religion, negatively impacts on the representation and participation of young people since it obliges them to respect their seniors. They said religion also reinforces political apathy among the youth as it largely portrays politics as ‘inherently evil’ and corrupt.

While in their political party constitutions young people are defined as people between the ages of 18 and 35, some politicians between the ages of 35 and 55 still claim to be youth for political expediency, hence shutting out young people from political office. I was told that these politicians also claim that life begins at 40.

Despite the challenges young people continue to face within political parties, the young people I spoke with said they play a key role in politics, due to the fact that they provide security, monitor elections for their political parties and candidates, and market political parties’ policies, manifestoes and ideologies.

The young people also interpret manifestoes for those who are illiterate within their communities. They also create forums and mobilize these communities through art, music and sports. They noted, however, that they cannot access higher offices in their political parties because they lack sufficient material resources to run effective campaigns.

Despite these barriers, many said that they would like to run for office as Councilors, MPs and other key positions within political parties. In fact, the young people I spoke to in Mvita also told me that they are greatly inspired by leaders like Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Martin Luther King and that they hope to follow in their footsteps in order to redeem Kenya from its current ‘crises’.