Young voters' dilemma: they hate ethnic politics but feel trapped in it

Almost 20 per cent of young Kenyans were not employed or engaged in education as of 2019. [iStockphoto]

In elections and beyond, young Kenyans are an important political cohort. People between the ages of 18 and 35 make up about 30 per cent of the population and nearly 40 per cent of registered voters in the August elections.

According to World Bank estimates, almost 20 per cent of young Kenyans were not employed or engaged in education as of 2019, a frustration that may drive their political views. The Covid-19 pandemic likely worsened the situation, given lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.