In 2021, while in Form 2 at Alliance High School, Nick Mathenge had his first interaction with the People Dialogue Festival (PDF) — a turning point that introduced him to the world of democratic dialogue, youth agency, and civic participation. Organized by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy–Kenya (CMD-Kenya), the Festival sparked Nick’s early interest in governance and positioned him within a dynamic ecosystem of mentorship, intergenerational engagement, and youth-led dialogue.
During his time at the Alliance High School (2020–2023), Nick became a consistent beneficiary of CMD Kenya’s Strengthening the Power of Youth Voices (SPYV) project. Through the project’s intergenerational dialogue sessions supported by SPYV, he gained direct exposure to political leaders, including his own school’s alumnus, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, Majority Leader of the National Assembly. Invited back by CMD Kenya to engage with students, Hon. Ichung’wah’s presence at Alliance helped demystify political leadership for students like Nick, affirming that civic responsibility begins early and can be shaped from familiar spaces like school assemblies.
By 2025, Nick had grown into a confident youth leader and was appointed Coordinator of the “Ni Sisi Ni Sasa Village” — the high school dialogue space at PDF. Under his stewardship, the space became one of the Festival’s most vibrant platforms, amplifying student voices on governance, digital citizenship, and accountability. His leadership not only demonstrated his own growth, but also CMD Kenya’s long-term investment in nurturing youth leadership through structured exposure and responsibility.
This journey came full circle when Nick was invited by CMD Kenya to represent the organization as a panelist at the PAWA254 Maandamano Exhibition in 2025 — held to commemorate one year since the Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill. Sitting on the GEN ZOTE CONVOS panel alongside seasoned activists, Nick articulated the shifting landscape of youth activism in Kenya, and the need to move from protest to policy influence. His contributions underscored how young people, when supported and mentored early, can become powerful voices for change in national discourse.
Nick’s story is more than just a personal milestone — it is a living example of CMD Kenya’s vision to build a robust, values-driven youth civic pipeline. From his first exposure to PDF in 2021 to national platforms in 2025, Nick’s growth affirms the importance of sustained mentorship, access to political dialogue spaces, and youth-led platforms as tools to build Kenya’s future leaders.
“PDF didn’t just expose me to governance — it gave me the tools, the confidence, and the platform to believe in my leadership potential.”
— Nick Mathenge, Ni Sisi Ni Sasa Village Coordinator at PDF 2025 & Alliance High School Alumnus
Through Nick and others like him, CMD Kenya continues to demonstrate that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are powerful civic actors today.