Report: Youth Perceptions on Politics and Governance

Youth currently account for 75% of Kenya’s population, making up 55% of the country’s labor force. As of 2022, young people comprised 35% of the total membership of political parties in Kenya, significantly increasing their participation in politics through holding elective positions or influencing political parties’ choice of candidates.

Understanding the perspectives of young people on politics and governance is crucial in shaping future policies and youth engagement strategies. GeoPoll’s conducted a survey in March 2025 to gauge their awareness, participation, and expectations regarding politics and governance in Kenya. Here are the key findings:

• Awareness and Interest in Politics
• Areas of Interest in Politics and Governance
• Preferred Youth-Oriented Programs for Political Engagement
• Youth Participation in Politics
• Barriers to Youth Participation in Politics

Awareness and Interest in Politics

The survey data reveals respondents’ significant awareness and interest in political and governance structures. Notably, 59% of participants reported being very aware of these structures, while 30% identified as somewhat aware.

When asked about their level of interest in learning more about political and governance processes, 60% expressing a strong interest, and 30% indicating that they are somewhat interested. This highlights a robust desire for engagement and understanding of political processes among the youth.

Areas of Interest in Politics and Governance

Respondents were asked about the specific areas of politics and governance they would like to learn more about. The most common area of interest was national governance and policies, selected by 64% of respondents. Youth representation in governance followed at 56%, while local government and community affairs were of interest to 54%. Policy-making and advocacy also gained considerable attention at 43%, along with election processes at 40% and political party systems at 31%.

Preferred Youth-Oriented Programs for Political Engagement

When asked about the types of youth-oriented programs that could enhance political and governance engagement, leadership training was the most favored option, with 66% of respondents supporting it. Additionally, 55% of participants endorsed using digital platforms for youth involvement, while youth forums and town hall meetings received support from 50% of those surveyed.

How Government Institutions Can Support Youth Engagement

The survey participants highlighted several ways government institutions can support youth engagement in governance. The most popular recommendation was the creation of more youth participation platforms, supported by 70% of respondents. Providing financial support for youth-led initiatives was also a major priority, with 62% in favor. Ensuring youth representation in decision-making processes gained 59% support while encouraging inclusive policies that consider youth interests was selected by 50%. Improving access to political information was also cited as a crucial factor, with 47% of respondents advocating for better information dissemination.

Youth Participation in Politics

According to Youth Democracy Cohort, while young people are historically active in Kenya’s public affairs, the country recorded a 5.27% drop in young voters in its 2022 general elections compared with the 2017 elections.

The survey found that 81% of respondents had voted in the last election, while 19% did not. Looking ahead, 94% of respondents indicated they intend to vote in the upcoming election, demonstrating strong electoral engagement among the youth, expected from the recent youth activism, including the 2024 widespread protests.

Regarding broader political involvement, 53% of respondents follow politics and governance through media. Another 22% participate in local political discussions, while 16% actively participate in political campaigns. However, 7% do not participate, and only 3% hold or hold a political party or public office position. The frequency of political participation also varied, with 36% stating they participate occasionally, 22% rarely, 18% frequently, 17% consistently, and 6% never engaging in political activities.

Motivations for Youth Political Engagement

The primary motivation for political engagement among respondents is the desire to create change, with 69% expressing this sentiment. Other motivations include representing their community or group (40%), having a personal interest in political issues (36%), seeking career development opportunities (31%), and being influenced by family or peers (22%). These findings suggest that many young people see political involvement as shaping their society and influencing decision-making.

Barriers to Youth Participation in Politics

Despite their interest, young people face several barriers to political participation. The biggest obstacle identified was a lack of trust in political leaders and institutions, cited by 61% of respondents. Additionally, 42% pointed to limited opportunities for youth participation, economic constraints, and inadequate access to platforms as significant barriers. Another 34% felt that a lack of information about political processes hindered their involvement. Social and cultural pressures and political apathy were mentioned by 19% of respondents each.

Perception of Youth Influence in Governance

When asked whether they feel their voices are heard in political and governance decisions, 45% of respondents said no, while 30% said they are sometimes heard. Only 20% believe their opinions are genuinely taken into account. Similarly, when asked whether political leaders adequately represent the interests of young people, 55% responded negatively, while 24% believe they sometimes do.

Youth Participation and Accountability

A substantial majority (80%) of respondents believe increased youth participation in governance can lead to greater political accountability. When asked how youth can hold leaders accountable, voting in elections was the most popular response (66%), followed closely by participating in public discussions and debates (63%). Other methods of accountability included protesting or participating in activism (50%), engaging in social media campaigns (47%), and reporting issues through official channels (45%).

Conclusion

The survey results indicate that while youth are highly interested in politics and governance, barriers such as lack of trust, limited access to information, and economic constraints hinder their full participation. To foster youth engagement, governments and organizations should invest in leadership training, digital platforms, and financial support for youth-led initiatives. Ensuring representation in decision-making processes and encouraging open dialogue will strengthen youth involvement and accountability in governance. These insights serve as a roadmap for policymakers, civil society organizations, and youth leaders to create an enabling environment where young people can actively shape their political future.

Methodology/About this Survey

This Exclusive Survey was run via the GeoPoll mobile application on the 17th of March 2025 in Kenya. The sample size was 487, composed of random GeoPoll app users above the age of 18. Since the survey was randomly distributed, the results are slightly skewed towards younger respondents.

GeoPoll is committed to empowering youth by supporting organizations, policymakers, and governments in addressing future challenges young people face. Together, we can leverage data to drive targeted interventions, enhance youth well-being, and build more resilient systems for the future. Our mobile-based surveys provide a robust and proven method for capturing insights on youth perspectives, behaviors, and public perceptions, particularly in under-resourced regions.

Please get in touch with us to get more details about our capabilities, explore more on youth focused, or other topics in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.