Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports Salim Mvurya has announced the official timelines for the election of National Youth Council (NYC) representatives after over a decade of delayed youth polls in Kenya.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, April 17, 2026, the CS outlined a structured three-phase election process that will be conducted nationwide under the National Youth Council Act.
“It is notified to the general public that the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports has appointed members of the National Steering Committee for the National Youth Council elections,” read the gazette notice in part.
According to the notice, the ward -level elections will begin on July 5, 2026, followed by constituency-level elections start July 16. The process will culminate in the National Youth Congress elections on July 27.
The committee will be chaired by George Marcel Osaro and will include members Mohammed Barre, Beverly Anyona, Mary Mbugua, Mukomoni Osero, Wilkistar Oluoch, Gideon Balang, Juma Salim Shibe, Ken Koech, Debora Malwa Mackazi, Elijah Kalama Kafani, Hellen Tuwei, and Sophy Nekoye Walialua.
The committee will also oversee the use of digital systems for voter registration, voting, and results transmission while safeguarding data integrity throughout the process.
The last members of the NYC were elected was in 2012, meaning Kenyan youth have gone 14 years without new leadership elections at the council level.
The prolonged delay had sparked criticism, leading to weak accountability and limited representation in governance structures.
The CS said the appointment of members of the National Steering Committee will oversee the entire process and coordinate the elections, handle disputes, verify candidate nominations and ensure compliance with electoral guidelines.
