National Youth Council Elections 2026: Registration opens ahead of October polls
The portal, elections.nyckenya.go.ke, was unveiled in Nairobi as the government stepped up preparations for the elections.
Nairobi, Kenya - The National Youth Council (NYC) has initiated voter registration and candidate nomination procedures for the upcoming elections set to take place from October 9 to 30, 2026, marking the first polls in 14 years. The registration portal, elections.nyckenya.go.ke, was unveiled in Nairobi as authorities ramp up preparations for the elections, encouraging young Kenyans to register, vote, and vie for leadership roles.
Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs, Jacob Fikirini, explained that the elections aim to provide structured opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making and have their voices heard on issues affecting their lives. He emphasized the need to enhance civic education and mobilize young people to actively engage in the process, asserting that the government adopts a whole-of-government approach, involving national and county government entities to ensure widespread outreach and encouragement of participation.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Creative Economy convened county-level representatives, including commissioners and youth officers, for a coordination meeting aimed at preparing for the campaign and electoral phases. The three-stage elections will commence with ward-level elections on October 9, followed by constituency elections on October 16, culminating in a National Youth Congress on October 30, where national representatives will be elected.
These dates were officially announced by Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Cabinet Secretary, Salim Mvurya.
The elections, held 14 years after the last ones in 2012, are seen as an opportunity to strengthen structured youth representation nationwide. The council will serve as a platform for young people to organize, elect representatives, and articulate their interests through established channels. The registration portal will allow both online and manual registration, blending technology with traditional methods to accommodate all young eligible participants.
Fikirini urged young people to seize the registration window and participate both as voters and candidates, highlighting that increased youth involvement in leadership would enable them to influence policies and contribute to national development. The government plans to intensify civic education and mobilization efforts as the election date approaches, leveraging national and county resources to increase awareness and participation.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
