Briefing Paper

How Poor Governance and Corruption Affects the Youth in Kenya

The quest for youth participation in governance, politics and other developmental processes is an increasing global concern. To this end, the UN General Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action for Youth to the year 2000 and beyond to advance the youth agenda in matters of governance. This framework calls for full and effective participation of the youth in the decision-making spaces within its priority areas. Similarly, in 2003, the UN General Assembly demonstrated Its commitment to youth participation through the issuance of Resolution No. 58/133 (policies and programmes involving youth), that requires upon all Member States, United Nations bodies, Specialized Agencies, Regional Commissions and Intergovernmental and Nongovernmental Organizations concerned to make every possible effort to implement cross-sectoral policies relevant to the youth. Regionally, Article 11 of the African Youth Charter adopted by the African Union was dedicated to the participation of young people in all spheres of society. In this regard, many national governments in Sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya have adopted and ratified several international/regional covenants with an aim of providing a framework for youth inclusion in decision-making process as well as participation in politics. In the same vein, the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and coming to effect of devolution in 2013-heralded positive reforms in creating an enabling environment for increased youth participation in governance processes.