The youth (aged between 18 and 34) make up 57% of the 42 million Kenyans of this nation. Yet how many of them are in positions of power? Unfortunately, Kenya has seen more young people represented on the frontlines at political riots rather than on the ballots and in the voting booths. “Many young people are unemployed and this makes them vulnerable to misuse by the political class who pay them to act as "security" to ward off competitors… Historically, it manifests itself in the form of violence as they belong to different gangs in support of politicians.” Says Ms Kijala Rita Shako, the Democratic Governance Lead at Oxfam. The March 4th election presents a chance for sweeping changes in the corridors of power; but who is part of Kenya’s political ‘GenNext’? And for what and who do they really stand?. UP speaks to Elijah Kanyi and Charles Wanguhu, two candidates who are part of a new “tribe” of young political aspirants.

One of the fresh faces is 31-year-old Charles Wanguhu. “I am driven by my passion for public service and justice for all,” he says. Charles, who holds a Masters in Law, is campaigning as an independent to become the Ward representative of Kileleshwa. He is running as an independent because he hasn’t seen any party whose values are in line with his. “Even with the parties who claim to be youth-oriented, they are just a new brand of people who want to get on the gravy train,” he remarks. Charles is currently the Head of Programs at the Africa Centre for Open Governance, a position that instils a philosophy of good governance into his political platform.

“It is important that we get people in place who put in systems that work. The new constitution gives the public greater opportunities to instil transparency and accountability and that [is what] I want to transfer to the county government.” And perhaps Kileleshwa would benefit from a Ward representative who is a Stanford “Draper Hills Fellow”. (This is a program offered by Stanford University that trains mid-career professionals on Democracy, Development and The Rule of Law.) Charles worked at the Kenya Human Rights Commission from 2006 to 2008 before joining the Danish Institute for Human Rights the same year. “What we need now is inclusive leadership,” he insists. One way that Wanguhu already encourages this is by tracking feedback through social media. “I always set out to have a conversation with the people of Kileleshwa. What are our issues? [The conversations] shaped my plan for Kileleshwa. People are tired of being told [what to do] and it’s a very African thing because it’s almost paternalistic.

It’s not about people agreeing it, also them challenging you. We are trying something different.” he explains. “We all have spaces of influence,” he says. Even though Charles lives in Kilimani, he chose to run in the ward where he worked over the one where he lives. (The Africa Centre for Open Governance is located in the Kileleshwa ward). Speaking on insecurity, Charles is aware that the county government does not have an increased role in security. Consequently, Charles doesn’t want to make promises he can’t keep. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t got ideas. “Security is other idea is to try and pilot a community CCTV (closed circuit television camera) system,” he offers. Charles recalls an incident that brought home the necessity of solving security issues in Kileleshwa. He’d dropped off fliers at a chemist then three hours later someone called to tell it had been robbed. “How does this station.

What are the police doing?” he asks. Charles is keen to focus on business opportunities in Kileleshwa. He explains, “The different areas I have chosen are interlinked. When I talk about business, I talk about harnessing business opportunities in recycling for example and then, going green. Ensuring that our garbage is separated so that you have organic and plastics [becomes] an income source for [youth groups]”. Describing himself as someone who was “never a conformist”, his decision to run on an independent ticket is consistent with this self-assessment. Plus, he has never felt alone in his fight for the political seat. Young people have rallied to support him, from designing his campaign poster to offering marketing advice and printing his business cards and other such campaign materials.

Perched on the rooftop of a dilapidated building in the heart of Mathare slum we find another young contender. Elijah Kanyi’s aspirations run all the way to the Kenyan parliament, hoping to represent the Kenya National Congress (KNC). At 28, the slim, dreadlocked freelance journalist may seem too young to be a political aspirant but when you see him in his right element, walking through Mathare 3C, it seems he was built for the job. “It’s not about politics, it’s about leadership”, he says, gesticulating widely at the vast slum behind him, flashing a tattoo on the inner side of his hand. According to Elijah, the difference between politics and leadership, is that politicians start a project and then finish it close to election time, but a leader starts a project, finishes it and asks, “What next?” The former footballer was orphaned at 13 and is married with two daughters, so he knows about taking on a challenge.

Posters slathered in every possible open space seem to indicate that the Orange Democratic Movement and The National Alliance party have a stronghold where Kanyi is campaigning. “I know, people are voting on tribal lines, but with me there’s nothing like tribe,” he says. While the challenge to win the vote grows heavier by the day, Kanyi admits that he does not have cash to fling at poor residents or mass-produce posters like the dominant parties. “With or without money, I have to be in the race,” Kanyi says with a voice of a man on a mission. Kanyi is encouraging supporters to bring their black or white t-shirts for free printing of his campaign message. And he’s getting some help too, both on the project and keeping his sense of morality in check. “I have people around me who won’t let me get away with turning into a ‘vulture’”, he muses. With friends like photographer and activist Boniface Mwangi, who is helping Kanyi market his t-shirt campaign, it is hard to imagine he could. “People here won’t pay to wear my t-shirt, so instead we print my campaign details on their t-shirts for free.” Elijah is also using his personal Facebook account, with a little over 1000 friends, to post pictures of the t-shirts. In one picture, Kanyi confidently crosses his arms across the front of a t-shirt proclaiming “Made in Mathare”.

In another, with the city as his backdrop and a wide, warm smile on his face, Kanyi holds up a white t-shirt designed in the format of a typical campaign poster complete with his caricature. “Politicians keep people down so they can stay up, but not with me. We have to find solutions for the youth. It’s the thugs versus the community,” he states. Kanyi believes employment would drastically reduce insecurity in the area. He explains, “I won’t give money, instead I will give resources. If you hand someone cash they’ll just spend it and be right back where they started”. He speaks of building youth centres and giving youth groups livestock from which to create income. “I don’t have money, but I have ideas. For example, if you give a group of young people a cow with which they can sell milk, they will stop stealing. People are engaging in such acts because they lack employment,” he says. “There are many footballers in Huruma. I can turn [it] into a mini stadium where even [Kenya] Premier League can be played. The youth can get money from the teams that come to play there.” he says earnestly.

Environmental issues in the area are intimidating. According to a 2012 Slum Dwellers International and Muungano Support Trust report, “Only 28% of households report being served by a waste collection group”. Kanyi is acutely aware of the challenges that face him, especially the possibility of the youth splitting their vote, but he’s resolved to work through the challenge of bringing them together. “I will talk to [the youth] and tell them to look at me as a person, as a leader. I am also intending to get votes from women. If they decide its Elijah, its Elijah,” he says. Time will tell whether Kanyi will be the man who can deliver the much-needed political miracle for the people of Mathare. As the youth emerge as the key demographic in Kenyan politics, it is likely that we will see more young people like Kanyi and Wanguhu sway the minds of the electorate and gain political clout and bring change. Old or young; make your vote count on March 4th.