CMD-Kenya achieved commendable results in the 4th quarter, in convening and capacity building young people, including high schoolers, who will make a significant demographic among new voters in the 2027 general elections. Through the two-day Masterclasses on Advocacy and Policy Change convening the next generation(high school students) and Special Interest Groups(young people representing the party SIG leagues, institutions of higher learning and youth-led civil organizations), partnerships with the various PDF stakeholders were strengthened.
A total of 9 different organizations partnered in the masterclasses, taking up facilitation roles based on their different areas of expertise in strategic messaging and communication, civic education, governance and policymaking, as well as tactful leverage of media to drive policy change. Great support for the initiatives was experienced on all levels. 16 schools partnered in the engagement, seconding students and coordinating with the parents for support, given the trainings were conducted during the school holidays. Parents and participating schools showed appreciation for civic awareness among their young people, availing their children/ students to participate in the two-day engagement and further supporting their participation in the policy submission exercise, which took place at the County Assemblies Forum Secretary General’s office in Nairobi.
Further good will from the Nairobi County leadership was experienced as the Senator of Nairobi County also made room to share his firsthand experiences in policymaking with the young people to share his first-hand experience in policymaking work. Political parties also supported their youth leaders to enhance their capacity in persuasive communication on policy matters.
The overall win of the masterclass has been the facilitation and support of young people’s participation and introduction to insights on advocacy works, strategic communication, and the fundamentals of framing policy messages. Through their immersion in practical lessons on how to shape governance through evidence-based advocacy, young people got to appreciate their civic responsibility and the need for informed participation in policy and decision-making, efforts that have established a foundation for the shaping of their meaningful participation as Kenya gears for the 2027 elections. Further, their collaborative attempts to persuasively pitch ideas and refine them into policy briefs saw them produce well-researched outputs on issues directly affecting young people and communities, including the need for recognition of APBET schools, teen mental health, and drug abuse in high schools. The issue areas not only reflected urgent societal needs but were also carefully anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating how local challenges can be addressed through global frameworks. These are great efforts towards sensitization of young people on available opportunities and entry points for their involvement in sustainable development on different levels.
CMD-Kenya also presented an opportunity for the high schoolers to hone their skills at public speaking, with their policy briefs presentation to the SG of the County Assemblies Forum(CAF), which tested their resilience and adaptability to emerging societal issues. The SG praised their clarity, purpose, and depth, while also offering invaluable insights into how legislative bodies work and divide responsibilities. The experience reinforced the central message of the masterclass: that young people are not just beneficiaries of policy, but active shapers of governance and sustainable development, capable of turning challenges into opportunities for influence.
