Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, has appointed a National Steering Committee to oversee the National Youth Council (NYC) elections scheduled for July 2026.

The appointment is contained in Gazette Notice No. 5585 dated April 17, 2026, issued under Regulation 4(1) of the National Youth Council (Election of Certain Council Members) Regulations, 2021 (L.N. 183 of 2021).

The National Youth Council Secretariat will provide administrative support to the committee during its term. George Marcel O. Osaso has been appointed as Chairperson of the Steering Committee.

Other members include Mohammed Barre, Beverly Anyona, Mary Mbugua, Mukomoni J. Osero, Wilkistar M. Oluoch, Gideon Balang, Juma Salim Shibe, Ken Koech, Debora Malwa Mackazi, Elijah Kalama Kafani, Hellen Tuwei, and Sophy Nekoye Waliaula.

The committee will serve for a renewable period of twelve months.

“A separate Gazette Notice (No. 5585) appoints the National Steering Committee pursuant to Regulation 4 (1). George Marcel O. Osaso has been named Chairperson, with the following members: Mohammed Barre.”

Election timelines and structure

The election process will be conducted in three tiers as outlined in Gazette Notice No. 5586. Ward level elections are scheduled for July 5, 2026. Constituency level elections will follow on July 16, 2026, while the National Youth Congress elections are set for July 27, 2026.

The multi-tier structure is designed to facilitate progressive representation from local to national levels. The process will involve nomination, verification, voting, and result transmission mechanisms coordinated by the Steering Committee in line with the 2021 regulations.

The framework also provides for digital systems in voter registration, voting, counting, and transmission of results.

The committee is required to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act (Cap. 411C) and the Kenya Information and Communications Act (Cap. 411A) during all stages of the electoral process.

Mandate and youth participation framework

The Steering Committee has been tasked with coordinating all election activities, receiving and authenticating nomination papers, and overseeing dispute resolution processes, including appeals arising from the National Youth Congress.

It is also mandated to appoint election officials and supervise lower-level election committees.

Additional responsibilities include enforcing the electoral code of conduct, vetting and forwarding names of elected and nominated members to the Cabinet Secretary, and issuing policy directives on electoral procedures and technology use.

The committee is further required to maintain auditable records throughout the election cycle.

The elections target Kenyan youth aged between 18 and 35 years, who will participate in selecting representatives to the National Youth Council.

The process is expected to facilitate structured representation of youth interests in governance, policy, and development discussions at national and county levels.