Members of the ODM Youth League suring a media briefing on Wednesday Members of the ODM Youth Leagu are pushing for space in the party’s decision-making processes, saying the youth should have a stronger voice in shaping policy and determining the direction of the movement.
Led by Omondi Fredrick the youths said the push was not intended to challenge the party’s wider leadership or bypass its constitutional structures.
“We are not asking anyone to bypass the constitution. We are asking that the conversation begins now,” he said.
The youths want the Youth League to evolve from a structure largely associated with political mobilisation into one that actively develops ideas, contributes to policy and prepares young members for leadership.
The ODM's constitution provides for a Secretary for Youth Affairs who must be not more than 35 years and also serves as national chairperson of the Youth League.
The office is responsible for developing advisory opinions and papers on matters affecting young people, coordinating Youth League activities and promoting party policies among the youth under the direction of the National Executive Committee.
ODM currently lists John Ketora as its Secretary for Youth Affairs and Youth League leader.
The youths say their concerns go beyond securing positions or increasing visibility during campaigns.
“We cannot have a Youth League that only becomes visible during elections,” Omondi said.
The group points to artificial intelligence, the digital economy, smart cities, innovation, entrepreneurship, employment and the future of work as issues that should form part of the Youth League’s political conversation.
The statement also seeks to draw a distinction between generational renewal and opposition to older members of the party.
“Age is not the enemy. Stagnation is,” it says.
The youths say they respect the experience of leaders who came before them but want the party to create space for a new generation to participate, contribute and prepare to take responsibility.
“For 20 years, ODM has been part of Kenya’s political transformation,” the statement says, describing the party's earlier political struggles as being centred on democracy, constitutionalism and social justice.
It argues that the generation now entering political leadership should be allowed to contribute to what it describes as the next phase of the movement.
In their statement, they say the phrase should include the power of young people to participate in decision-making, influence policy, strengthen the movement and shape Kenya's economic future.
“When we say TUNATAKA POWER, we mean the power to participate, influence policy, strengthen our movement and create a better economic future for our generation,” the statement says.
The statement links this demand to what it calls the “Third Wave” — a new phase of political engagement centred on economic liberation.
“We are not asking for shortcuts,” the statement says.
“This is not a revolt. It is a generational call.”
