Claiming the space: The inclusion and participation of the youth in Kenya's 11th and 12th Parliaments

uth quotas refer to instances where constitutions, statutes or polit
les and procedures reserve specific slots to be contested or filled by
a) Youth quotas in National Parliaments and political parties
e found in three main forms 34 , namely legislated candidate quo
Youth quotas refer to instances where Constitutions, statutes or political parties’ internal rules and
rties procedures are obligated reserve specific to slots have to be contested a minimum or filled by young number people. They of are youths found in three in main their
forms 34 , namely legislated candidate quotas, where political parties are obligated to have a minimum
ndidates
number
as
of youths
a qualification
in their party list of elective
to participate
candidates as a qualification
in the
to
election;
participate in the
political
election;
p
litical political parties party quotas, themselves where political parties place themselves internal place internal youth quotas, sometimes sometimes as a result as
of advocacy and sensitization of the party leadership to factor in youth quotas; and reserved youth quota
d sensitization seats, where specific of slots the in legislatures party are leadership guaranteed for young to people. factor 35 in youth quotas; a
ota seats, where specific slots in legislatures are guaranteed for you
Legislated
candidate
quotas
Youth
quotas
Political
party
quotas
Reserved
youth
quotas
These quotas serve to give the elected or nominated youth an opportunity to create the networks and name
for themselves and prove to the public that they can perform. Consequently, youth who are nominated or
elected through the quotas system stand better chances of being elected in the ballot system in the next
election if they perform and represent the youths well.
ese quotas serve to give the elected or nominated youth an oppor
tworks and name for themselves and prove to the public that
Recent examples from Kenya include: -
nsequently, youth who are nominated or elected through the quotas
i) Hon. Johnson Sakaja, nominated as Member of the National Assembly representing youth during the
11th Parliament, and elected to the 12th Parliament as the Senator for Nairobi City County;
ii) Sen. Naisula Lesuuda, nominated as a woman Senator during the 11th Parliament, and elected as to the
12th Parliament as MP for Samburu West Constituency;
iii) Sen. Martha Wangari, nominated as women Senator during the 11th Parliament, and elected to the 12th
Parliament as MP for Gilgil Constituency.
EU-UNDP (2017), Youth participation in Electoral processes. Handbook for Electo
cessed at https://www.undp.org
In Kenya, b) Political there Party are Funding two guaranteed slots for youth in the Senate, pursuant to Art. 98
milarly, Uganda has a reservation of 5 seats for youth representatives selected
uncil, of which two are filled by young women.
Political parties’ sources of funding are diverse ranging from the government contribution and private
donations and contribution. Youth intending to contest for elective positions face the challenge of raising
(11)
34 EU-UNDP (2017), Youth participation in Electoral processes. Handbook for Electoral Management Bodies. Accessed at https://
www.undp.org
35 In Kenya, there are two guaranteed slots for youth in the Senate, pursuant to Art. 98(1(c) of the Constitution. Similarly, Uganda
has a reservation of 5 seats for youth representatives selected from the National Youth Council, of which two are filled by young
women.
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CLAIMING THE SPACE: