National Youth Council Sued Days after Youth-Led Protests

National Youth Council Sued Days after Youth-Led Protests

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Activist Peter Agoro argued that the National Youth Council has failed to hold elections for years and thus lost its legitimacy and credibility

He attributed the recent Gen Zs protests to NYC’s failure to champion the youth agenda despite receiving millions in budget allocations each financial year

The NYC was established to represent the interests of the youth in Kenya, facilitating their involvement in the socio-economic and political development of the country

The National Youth Council (NYC) has been sued by a Nairobi-based human rights activist, Peter Odhiambo Agoro, for failing to hold elections as required by the law.

Agoro argued that despite the enactment of regulations guiding the election of certain members of the council under Legal Notice No. 183 of 2021 (Regulations 2021), the council has failed to hold the said elections.

The petitioner averred that efforts to compel the council to hold the polls have borne no fruits, leaving him with no other option but to seek the intervention of the court.

Despite the regulations' enactment in 2021, the respondent has failed to conduct the required elections. This inaction has led to a lack of proper representation for the youth.

Agoro's petition states that efforts to address this issue with the respondent and other relevant bodies have been met with unsatisfactory responses. These efforts include written requests, meetings, and appeals.

The outspoken activist who filed the case under a certificate of urgency told the court that the respondent’s continued failure to hold elections has demonstrated a lack of transparency and accountability.

According to Agoro, this is an abuse and violation of the principles of good governance as encapsulated in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

"Regular elections are crucial for maintaining the legitimacy and accountability of the respondent. The elections ensure that council members are representatives of the youth's current needs and aspirations

The respondent's failure to conduct elections reflects a lack of accountability and transparency, which are fundamental principles of good governance as enshrined under Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 on the national values and principles of governance and principles of public service, respectively,” Agoro stated.

Consequently, the petitioner argued that the respondent had lost legitimacy and credibility as a youth representative and should either comply with the enacted regulations on elections or step down.

To buttress his argument, Agoro claimed that NYC’s lost legitimacy and inability to champion the youth agenda could have contributed to the frustrations and anger vented voutly by Gen Zs during the anti-Finance Bill protests.

The delayed elections have led to a lack of legitimate representation for the youth in decision-making, which has led to massive frustrations, evidenced by the nationwide protests led by the young people.

The NYC was established to represent the interests of Kenyan youth and facilitate their involvement in the country's socio-economic and political development.