Day 4 of Youth SDGs Week brought into sharp focus one of the most political and urgent goals of all:
Sustainable Development Goal 16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. SDG 16 is not just about
technical frameworks or lofty declarations; it’s about who holds power, who influences it, and whether
institutions truly serve the people. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. Justice is not just a
constitutional promise. Strong institutions are not faceless offices; they are the systems that determine
whether a young person can access an ID, secure dignified work, receive quality education, protest safely,
or have their voice heard in decisions that affect their future.
Edwin Adoga of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung reminded participants that the SDGs are fundamentally
political. Achieving them depends on who participates in decision-making and how inclusive governance
systems are. Evidence-based policymaking is gaining traction, but short-term electoral cycles and weak
coordination continue to undermine long-term commitments. Against this backdrop, young
parliamentarians and civic actors are emerging as vital contributors, bringing innovation, lived
experience, and openness to collaboration. Sam Ogwal of IGAD challenged the narrative that youth
activism threatens peace, insisting instead that peace and participation are not opposites. He pointed to
youth mobilization in Kenya in 2024 as proof that young people can peacefully shape legislative
processes and demand accountability. Organized youth movements, he argued, are harder to manipulate,
more legitimate, and more capable of influencing policy. Yet, he acknowledged the risks of suppression
and exclusion, urging governments to institutionalize safe spaces for youth engagement and strengthen
civic education.
Antony Buluma, CEO of the Kenya Young Parliamentarians Association, delivered one of the day’s most
memorable interventions. He rejected the outdated phrase that youth are “leaders of tomorrow.” Poverty,
unemployment, poor healthcare, and shrinking civic space are not future problems; they are present
realities. He urged youth to move beyond protests and conversations, to document proposals, engage in
structured advocacy, and influence legislation directly. Leadership, he stressed, begins in communities
and schools, through service and practical solutions that build trust and credibility.
Panel discussions reinforced these insights, highlighting Kenya’s paradox: strong democratic structures
exist, yet implementation remains weak. Budget allocations often fail to match SDG priorities, youth are
consulted but rarely empowered to make decisions, and civic space continues to shrink despite
constitutional guarantees. Corruption and mismanagement of youth funds, as noted by Hon. John
Gitonga, have deepened mistrust, leaving many young people disillusioned. The refrain was repeated
across sessions: Kenya does not lack frameworks; it lacks delivery. True peace is not silence. Peace
requires justice, accountability, and functioning institutions that respond to grievances rather than
suppress them. Panelists warned against the instrumentalization of youth during elections and protests,
only to be abandoned afterward. They also highlighted the exclusion of marginalized groups, including
persons with disabilities, from civic and political spaces. Calls were made to institutionalize civic
education in schools and communities, ensuring young people understand their rights and governance
systems. Without awareness, participation remains weak; without participation, accountability suffers.
Technology was also spotlighted as both an opportunity and a risk. Digital tools have expanded youth
participation, amplified civic voices, and strengthened advocacy. Yet, they have also become
battlegrounds for misinformation, surveillance, harassment, and censorship. Concerns were raised about
internet shutdowns, restrictions on media during protests, and the digital divide that excludes many young
people from online opportunities. Kenya must protect civic and digital freedoms while updating laws to
match the realities of a rapidly evolving digital world.
Youth must organize, document, advocate, run for office, and resist manipulation. Government and
Parliament must align budgets with SDG commitments, institutionalize youth participation, and protect
civic and digital space. Civil society and partners must bridge grassroots realities with policymaking,
strengthen civic education, and safeguard accountability systems. The overarching message was
unmistakable: democracy is only meaningful when it delivers justice, inclusion, opportunity, and
accountability. Young people are no longer waiting to inherit the future; they are shaping the present. And
if Kenya is serious about achieving the SDGs, youth voices must move from symbolic participation to
decisive leadership. The time for promises has passed. The time for delivery is now.
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