MOMBASA, Kenya — In a bid to strengthen youth engagement in governance and public affairs, Civic Voice recently convened young leaders in Mombasa for a two-day movement-building training aimed at deepening civic participation and fostering sustainable youth-led action.
The training, led by Civic Voice Executive Director Abdul Noormohammed, brought together participants from different wards and constituencies to explore how citizen movements are formed, sustained, and used as tools for social and political change.
During the sessions, participants examined the distinction between social movements and protests, with facilitators emphasizing that lasting change often comes from organized, strategic action rather than spontaneous reactions. Youth leaders were guided through discussions on political power, learning how ordinary citizens can influence decision-making processes and hold leaders accountable.
A key focus of the training was helping participants understand how movements build power. Through practical tools such as the Spectrum of Allies and Pillars of Support, the youth analyzed how to identify stakeholders, map influence, and strategically engage institutions and decision-makers.
The training also provided a platform for participants to openly discuss the challenges that continue to fuel voter apathy among young people. Many cited systemic barriers such as limited access to national identity cards, inadequate investment in education, unemployment, and divisive politics as major obstacles to meaningful civic engagement.
Participants further reflected on issues affecting their local communities, identifying concerns within their wards and constituencies that require urgent government attention. These included water access, unemployment, insecurity, gender-based violence, and the quality of public services.
Through interactive exercises, the youth linked their civic choices and participation in governance to the realities of daily life, recognizing that active citizenship extends beyond elections to sustained engagement with local government structures.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Noormohamed noted that the training forms part of Civic Voice’s broader mission to equip young Kenyans with the knowledge and tools needed to organize effectively, demand accountability, and build movements capable of shaping governance in their communities.
The initiative underscores growing efforts to empower the country’s youth as active agents of change, particularly at a time when civic participation among young people remains critical to addressing local and national challenges.
