A recent discussion on Political Ringside highlighted how many young people in Kenya are becoming more interested in participating in the 2027 elections. During the program, Teddy Odhiambo, a former student leader and the founder of Compatriots for Reforms Kenya (CRK), spoke about the growing push among the youth to take a more active role in shaping the country’s political future.
The show, hosted by Fridah Mong’are, explored how young leaders view the current political environment and what they believe should change before the next general election.
Teddy explained that CRK did not start as a national political movement. According to him, it grew out of a group called Comrades of the Republic of Kenya that began in 2023. At that time, the focus was mainly on issues affecting university students, such as high school fees and the need for better funding for higher education institutions.
As discussions within the group continued, members realized that many of the challenges facing students were connected to wider national policies. This led to the decision to expand the movement and include broader issues affecting young people, women, and the country as a whole. Teddy said the goal is to create a platform where different voices can be heard instead of limiting discussions to campus concerns.
He also shared his personal journey in student leadership while studying at Kenyatta University. Teddy was first elected as Secretary General and later as President of the Kenyatta University Students Association, an organization that represents more than 90,000 students. He pointed out that winning leadership positions more than once showed that students had confidence in his ability to represent them. For him, leadership should be based on trust, integrity, and a record of service rather than popularity or financial strength.
During the conversation, Teddy made a distinction between activism and holding political office. He said activism plays an important role in raising awareness and putting pressure on leaders to address public concerns. However, he argued that real change often happens when people have the authority to make decisions and implement policies. Because of this, he believes young people should consider seeking elective positions where they can directly influence government decisions.
Another issue discussed during the show was the way some politicians use young people for political activities. Teddy connected this problem to the high level of unemployment among the youth. He said that when many young people struggle to find jobs, some end up accepting small payments to attend political rallies or participate in disruptive activities. He advised young people to avoid such actions, saying it is better to remain patient than to take part in activities that could harm the country.
Instead, he suggested creating more meaningful opportunities for youth participation, including reserving seats for young leaders in parliament and government institutions.
He also criticized the current structure of the National Youth Council, saying it needs reforms to better represent young people.
If given an opportunity to serve in public office, Teddy said his main priority would be job creation for young people. He believes Kenya needs more industries spread across different counties so that youth can find employment closer to their homes. He referred to earlier government plans aimed at setting up county-based industries, noting that many of them were not fully implemented. In a lighter moment during the discussion, he said his top priorities would be “youth, youth, and youth,” emphasizing that young people remain the country’s greatest strength.
The issue of corruption also came up during the conversation. Some observers worry that young leaders who join politics might eventually adopt the same habits they once criticized. Teddy responded by saying that leadership choices ultimately depend on personal character.
He also noted that social pressure can sometimes encourage corruption when communities expect leaders to bring back personal benefits after being elected. According to him, young leaders must resist such pressure and maintain honesty even when it is difficult.
The discussion also touched on the political environment in Kenya today. Teddy acknowledged some government programs aimed at supporting young people, including initiatives connected to youth training and funding. However, he said many young Kenyans still feel the results on the ground have not fully matched the promises made. On the opposition side, he noted that political groups should focus more on presenting clear policies and solutions instead of concentrating mainly on personalities.
The conversation also referenced the Gen Z protests that took place in 2024 during debates about the Finance Bill. Teddy described those demonstrations as an example of young people organizing themselves around issues they care about.
At the same time, he warned that political actors sometimes try to influence such movements for their own interests. He advised young people to remain careful and ensure that the causes they support truly benefit the country.
When asked whether Kenya’s political challenges are mainly caused by individuals or by the system itself, Teddy said both factors play a role. He observed that some long-serving politicians may step aside around the 2027 elections, creating space for new leaders. However, he also pointed out that structural problems, such as poor urban planning and recurring flooding in Nairobi during rainy seasons, show that deeper institutional reforms are also needed.
Regarding his own political future, Teddy said he is open to running for office in 2027. He acknowledged that the political field is often dominated by individuals with strong financial backing and established networks.
Despite this, he believes it is still possible for new leaders to succeed if they gain public trust and present clear ideas. He also expressed skepticism about political coalitions formed mainly to divide positions, saying alliances should instead be built around shared principles and goals.
According to him, many frustrations among the youth can be addressed through democratic participation at the ballot box.
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