{"id":3242,"date":"2025-09-12T13:28:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T13:28:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/?post_type=opinion&p=3242"},"modified":"2026-02-04T08:56:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T08:56:35","slug":"youth-and-transformation-in-kenya-highlights-from-the-nairobi-hub-workshop","status":"publish","type":"opinion","link":"https:\/\/thefifthelement.earth\/staging\/opinion\/youth-and-transformation-in-kenya-highlights-from-the-nairobi-hub-workshop\/","title":{"rendered":"Youth and transformation in Kenya: highlights from the Nairobi Hub workshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 50 Percent <\/a>has launched its second in-person hub in Nairobi, Kenya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We kicked off with an inspiring workshop bringing together local changemakers to focus on youth leadership, civic engagement, and systems change in Kenya. We chose to establish the Hub in Nairobi because it is both the heart of Kenya\u2019s civic life and a frontline where youth voices are rising against governance failures, inequality, and climate vulnerability. Out of recent youth-led protests and the systemic exclusion they have revealed, the Hub emerges as a space not just for resistance but for re-imagining\u2014where young people can move from protest to proposal, co-creating solutions alongside intergenerational allies as part of the global \u201c50 Percent<\/a>\u201d movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As activist Nangila Wafula cautioned, \u201cThe system is so deep-rooted, it feels like it\u2019s coded into our DNA. Even our protests are sometimes manufactured by the same system we oppose.\u201d The Hub seeks to confront exactly this challenge by channelling youth energy into long-term proposals and systemic alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matias Lara, Co-Director at The 50 Percent, opened the workshop by challenging the common phrase \u201cyouth are the future,\u201d calling it performative and often disconnected from meaningful decision-making. He reframed it powerfully, saying, \u201cYoung people are taking control of the future,\u201d a provocation to act, organise, and lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the workshop, participants reflected on the current youth moment in Kenya and shared their perspectives on the challenges facing young people. Wilson from UrbanBetter<\/a> highlighted the economic strain, governance issues, and climate inaction that affect both older and younger generations, while also recognising youth efforts to bridge these gaps through political advocacy and grassroots mobilisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another young changemaker, Odaya Kevin, spoke about the persistent marginalisation of youth and the rise of digital activism, noting that the education system fails to cultivate civic leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing examples from personal experience, Abigail Wakirima offered insights from climate advocacy, raising concerns about tokenism and extractive partnerships that favour older authorities\u2019 personal gain rather than supporting youth-led initiatives. Despite these challenges, she acknowledged opportunities for meaningful engagement through mechanisms like Kenya’s Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matias encouraged participants to move from analysis to action, asking, \u201cWhat are you doing today to make a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtuous citizenship & systems change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The session also introduced The 50 Percent\u2019s philosophy, which combines virtuous citizenship, systems transformation, community building and planetary well-being. Participants explored cardinal virtues as practical tools to navigate complex challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n