Kenyan youth, NCCK call for enhanced digital access, good governance to empower young innovators

by Ronald Njoroge

Over 200 youth delegates and civic leaders from across Kenya gathered in Nairobi from Sept. 21 to 25 for the 4th National Youth Convening, calling for enhanced youth inclusion in governance, digital technology adoption, and sustainable enterprise development to drive regional socioeconomic growth.

​Held under the theme “Claiming Spaces and Shaping Kenya,” the five-day forum culminated in the signing and release of a joint communiqué outlining key priorities for youth empowerment, equitable access to digital tools, and ethical civic participation ahead of future electoral cycles.

​Delegates emphasized that young people must move beyond being viewed merely as beneficiaries or electoral voters, urging institutions to integrate youth into formal policy formulation, public participation, and oversight frameworks from the grassroots to the national level.

​Addressing participants at the closing ceremony held at the Ufungamano House in Nairobi, National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui highlighted the critical intersection between inclusive governance, youth innovation, and national resilience.

​”Governance, technology, and innovation cannot be treated as separate issues. The quality of governance determines whether young people can access opportunities, participate meaningfully, and hold institutions accountable,” Kinyanjui said.

​He noted that while young entrepreneurs are increasingly utilizing digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) to expand market reach and streamline operations, significant structural bottlenecks continue to hinder sustainable growth.

​”Technology can expand access to information, markets, and civic participation, while innovation enables young people to turn real community challenges into viable enterprises,” Kinyanjui added, urging government agencies, private sector entities, and development partners to lower the cost of digital infrastructure and expand access to affordable credit for young entrepreneurs.

​The communiqué highlighted several key systemic barriers facing young innovators, including high device and internet costs, erratic power supply, limited digital skills, and complex regulatory and licensing requirements.

​To address these challenges, the forum advocated for a transition from informal, subsistence-level economic activities toward sustainable, structured enterprises supported by mentorship networks, intellectual property protection, and accessible seed capital.

​The delegates also raised concerns regarding the rising mental health challenges and financial pressures experienced by young people amid shifting economic realities, advocating for holistic support systems and the creation of dignified livelihood opportunities.

​On digital governance, the assembly called for responsible technology adoption, enhanced digital literacy, and proactive measures to combat online misinformation, disinformation, and data privacy breaches.

​”Claiming spaces means more than occupying them. It means using them to create value, solve problems, and influence the future,” the communiqué stated, reaffirming the commitment of Kenyan youth to collaborate across generations to achieve inclusive development and long-term socio-economic stability.  Enditem