1. Who is Mavin Mabonga?
Mavin is Kenyan civic educator, currently serving in the Presidential Secretariat of the United Green Movement Party and is also an aspiring Member of Parliament for Kimilili Constituency in the 2027 General Elections.
2. In your view, what is the current state of the youth civic responsibility?
The youth have been mobilizing and continue to mobilize and educate each other on the importance of participating in the electoral process. The 2027 is highly likely to record the highest youth voter turnout at polling stations in Kenya’s history. They are not voting merely because it is a civic duty, but because they believe change is necessary.
3. What personal roles are you playing in promoting civic engagement among the youth and what challenges have you encountered?
I began engaging in civic education two years ago which I took as a personal responsibility to enlighten young people on the importance of participating in the civic processes such as voting and public participation. Since then, I have toured several universities and colleges to engage with the youth on the same.
I have also organized town halls both within and outside Nairobi to create platforms for young people to discuss governance, leadership and civic responsibility. In December, I hosted a Youth Convention in Nairobi that brought together over 100 youth leaders. Together with my colleagues, we have also organized youth cafés aimed at fostering civic awareness and engagement among fellow young people.
One of the major challenges I face is financial constraints. Many young people are willing to attend town halls, conventions and civic forums, but they often lack the means to travel from one location to another. In many cases, some request transport facilitation in order to participate, which becomes difficult to sustain consistently.
4. Which Political Party/Movement are the youth inclined to and which one is supporting them?
The United Green Movement (UGM) Party has positioned itself as one of the key political platforms supporting the young people. The party has hosted several conventions for young aspirants, including the Limuru 1 Convention, which brought together over 500 youth aspirants to equip them with knowledge on leadership and political participation.
Since the rollout of the party caravan in February, a significant majority of participants have been the youths. Overall, the party has made deliberate efforts to support and empower young aspirants more consistently than many other political parties in the country.
5. In your view are the youth focused on transformative or revenge voting?
The youth are increasingly politically conscious, more informed, better connected, and more aware of both good and poor governance than ever before. As a result, many youths will approach the ballot with a strong desire for change and focused on issues such as leadership, integrity and accountability. They are highly likely to prioritize leaders who demonstrate service to the public and reject corruption and impunity in governance.
6. Do you think the Gen Z protests were successful and what role did you play?
During the Gen Z moment, I was actively involved in breaking down the Finance Bill 2024 on social media to help make it more understandable to the public. This was done through X Spaces discussions as well as individual posts aimed at civic education and awareness.
In my view, the Gen Z protests achieved significant outcomes. One of the key demands was the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, which was eventually done. The movement also succeeded in communicating a broader message that power ultimately belongs to the people and not individuals.
Overall, the protests marked a shift in the public perception of the youth on politics and provided an opportunity for public evaluation on our leaders.
7. Is Kenya ripe for change, and are we likely to see a youthful parliament in 2027?
The increasing number of young people registering as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election signals a strong demand for change. This momentum suggests that more young people are likely to contest and win elective positions. County assemblies, in particular, are expected to record higher youth representation. While the youth may not form the majority in Parliament, there is likely to be an increase in the number of young elected leaders compared to previous electoral cycles.
8. Are you seeking an elective post in 2027 and how have the fellow youth responded to your candidature?
I am vying for the position of Member of Parliament for Kimilili Constituency in 2027. Since declaring my bid, I have received overwhelming support from young people, many of whom have actively accompanied me throughout this journey. Some have even taken my ambition as a personal initiative, voluntarily mobilizing and supporting the vision alongside me.
9. Will the numbers of the registered voters translate to votes in the 2027 General Elections?
Those young people who have voluntarily registered as voters will also turn out in large numbers to vote during elections. They will be driven by a strong desire for change and the 2027 General Election will experience a significantly higher voter turnout than in previous cycles. The numbers will translate into votes, siri ni numbers.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should continue to collaborate with youth-led organizations to reach, mobilize and register more young people ahead of the elections.
10. In your view, have the government initiatives such as NYOTA, Affordable Housing and others been successful in addressing youth-related challenges?
These projects have not delivered a broad-based impact, as only a small number of young people are benefiting. What is needed is a more sustainable and inclusive approach to addressing youth unemployment.
There is a need to move away from initiatives that benefit only a few, while the vast majority of young people remain excluded. A truly effective strategy should ensure wider participation, equitable access and long-term opportunities for the majority of the youth population.
