ODM youth leader Kasmuel McCoure has unveiled plans to mobilize young Kenyans through a new Broad Based Youth Front, aimed at directly influencing government policy on youth affairs.
The initiative signals a shift from traditional political lobbying, prioritizing grassroots engagement over reliance on senior politicians.
Speaking on Tuesday, McCoure emphasized that the youth will actively participate in the Broad Based Government until it fulfills its mandate.
“We will own it to the very end,” he stated, dismissing attempts by some politicians to guide youth strategy despite their absence in last year’s street campaigns.
The Broad Based Youth Front will advocate for youth interests across key sectors, including employment, creative economy, and governance.
McCoure criticized the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports for its “indolence” and poor service delivery, saying the ministry has consistently neglected young people in favor of personal or political agendas.
Kenya has a history of youth-led activism shaping national policy, from the 2010 constitutional referendum to recent mobilizations around devolution and job creation.
ODM’s youth wing has previously played a role in grassroots campaigns, but this marks a formalized effort to institutionalize youth lobbying through the party structure.
The new front also reflects ongoing debates within Kenyan politics regarding youth representation. Despite comprising nearly 75 percent of the population, young people have often struggled to secure meaningful input in policy development.
By creating a structured lobbying body, McCoure and his colleagues aim to ensure that youth voices are integrated into decision-making at both county and national levels.
ODM party officials have not yet commented on the launch. Analysts say the move could pressure the government to improve the Ministry of Youth Affairs’ performance, particularly in implementing programs targeting skills development, entrepreneurship, and participation in the creative economy.