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Kenya’s National Youth Council has scheduled October elections after a lengthy wait for new youth representatives.
The process will be conducted in three stages before national representatives are eventually selected.
Elections Set for October
Ward-level voting has been scheduled for October 9, followed by constituency elections on October 16.
The final stage will be conducted during the National Youth Congress scheduled for October 30.
The revised timetable was gazetted after the elections initially planned for July were postponed.
The postponement was linked to outstanding legal, registration, voter education and operational requirements.
The new process is expected to culminate in the selection of 16 national representatives.
A total of 580 delegates elected from constituencies will reportedly participate in the final stage.
Civic Education Underway
Civic education has been intensified as preparations for the first round of voting continue nationwide.
Hundreds of young people recently attended an electoral sensitisation session at Thika Technical Institute.
The session was held in Kiambu County as information on the election structure was provided.
Requirements for participation as voters and candidates were also explained during the exercise.
The programme was led by NYC Acting Chief Executive Officer Gloria Wawira.
Young participants were encouraged to understand the process before seeking representation through the elections.
Youth Registration Continues
Registration is currently being conducted through the National Youth Council’s official elections platform.
Applicants are required to provide identification, personal details, county, constituency, ward and voting-centre information.
A recent coloured passport photograph is also required during the registration process.
A mobile phone is additionally needed for receipt of the required verification code.
Participation is open to young people aged between 18 and 35 years.
Candidates will also be expected to meet integrity requirements contained under Chapter Six.
Six Representatives Per Ward
Six youth representatives will be selected from every ward during the initial election stage.
The ward structure will consist of three male and three female representatives.
Those representatives will subsequently contribute to the wider constituency-level representation arrangement.
The system has been structured to create a progression from grassroots participation toward national representation.
At constituency level, delegates will be selected before the national congress is convened.
The final gathering will therefore comprise representatives drawn from constituencies across the country.
Representation Structure Explained
The National Elections Committee has emphasised the need for diverse youth representation.
Persons with disabilities have also been identified among groups whose representation should be reflected.
The electoral process is intended to provide a structured channel for youth participation.
Concerns affecting young people can consequently be carried through representatives at different levels.
The elections are being conducted after about 14 years without new youth representatives.
The prolonged gap has made the current exercise significant for the council’s representative structure.
The three-stage process will therefore determine how youth representation is constituted nationally.
Participation has been encouraged as preparations continue ahead of the October voting dates.
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