Session I: Strengthening Youth Leadership, Electoral Preparedness and Democratic Consolidation
The opening session of the CAF Youth Legislators Conference 2026 explored how young people can move beyond participation in electoral processes to become informed, prepared and effective leaders who contribute meaningfully to democratic governance.
How can young people move from being participants in electoral processes to becoming prepared, informed and effective leaders?
This question set the tone for Session I of the CAF Youth Legislators Conference 2026, which focused on Elections, Leadership, Preparedness and Democratic Consolidation.
The session brought together young legislators and emerging leaders for a candid conversation on electoral preparedness, youth participation in political processes, responsible leadership and the importance of strengthening democratic institutions.
Discussions underscored the need for young people to understand electoral processes, prepare early for leadership, participate meaningfully in governance and use their voices to influence decisions that shape their communities and the country.
Participants also reflected on the importance of responsible and informed leadership, recognising that effective political participation extends beyond elections to sustained engagement in governance, accountability and decision-making.
The session provided an important platform for young legislators and emerging leaders to examine what it takes to transition from political participation to purposeful leadership, while contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions and Kenya’s devolved system of governance.
The discussions set the stage for deeper conversations throughout the conference on strengthening youth voices and enabling young people to take a more meaningful role in shaping devolved governance.