Every political party and faction is working to bring youthful minds into the fold not only for their ideas but also for the numbers they contribute at the ballot.
At just 26, Christabel Azangalala has emerged as one of Kenya’s most dynamic and fast-rising women leaders, determined to carve out space for youth participation in national decision-making.
Azangalala first gained public attention after winning the Miss World Kakamega County title while representing Shinyalu.
Her victory propelled her to the national stage as a finalist in Miss World Kenya 2018 before she later represented Kenya internationally as Miss Pan Africa.
Today, her name is increasingly associated with youth leadership, civic education and politics, with billboards urging young Kenyans to register as voters and publicly declaring her support for President William Ruto.
Speaking to TNX Africa, Azangalala says the transition from pageantry to politics was a natural progression.
“As a beauty queen, you become a representative of your community. Young girls look up to you, fellow contestants look to you for guidance, and society expects you to use your platform to make a difference. That responsibility shaped me into the leader I am today,” she says.
Long before entering the political arena, Azangalala was involved in community initiatives focusing on menstrual health.
What began with distributing sanitary towels to girls in underserved communities evolved into advocacy for reusable menstrual products. She says the initiative has reached more than 20,000 girls and women across Kenya and parts of Africa.
Her leadership journey has also taken her across Africa through youth and women’s inclusion forums, where she interacted with leaders including Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
Her latest campaign to encourage youth voter registration has, however, generated political debate, particularly because some of her billboards feature President Ruto in parts of Western Kenya, traditionally viewed as an ODM stronghold.
Her open support for Ruto has also drawn criticism amid calls by sections of young Kenyans for him to serve only one term.
Azangalala remains firm, saying her position is based on her own assessment of leadership.
“I want to be remembered not for appearing on billboards or holding positions, but for creating opportunities, changing lives and leaving communities better than I found them,” she says.