Political Ringside recently hosted a conversation with aspiring Dagoretti North MP Mirimo Nyongesa, where he opened up about why he believes young people must take a more active role in shaping Kenya’s political future.
Speaking to Isaac Kweyu, the lawyer and entrepreneur said many young Kenyans understand the daily struggles in communities because they live through them, and this gives them a better chance to push for practical solutions.
Nyongesa explained that his connection to Dagoretti North is personal. He moved to Nairobi more than seven years ago to study at the University of Nairobi as a government-sponsored student.
During that period, he settled in Kawangware, an area within the constituency, and over time he came to view it as home. He said living in the area helped him understand the challenges residents face every day, especially young people dealing with unemployment, crime, and drug abuse.
According to Nyongesa, his interest in leadership did not begin recently. He shared that around 2020, he started small community programs using his own resources to support youth living in informal settlements.
Through those efforts, he interacted with many young people who lacked opportunities and guidance. He believes that while infrastructure such as roads, water, and electricity remains important, many residents are more concerned about earning a stable income and improving their living conditions.
He said his main focus is economic empowerment. Rather than making promises about projects that already exist in many areas, Nyongesa wants to push for programs that create opportunities and help residents earn money. In his view, many social problems affecting the youth are linked to poverty and lack of jobs.
He believes Parliament should do more in creating policies and lobbying for programs that directly improve livelihoods.
When discussing the current leadership in Dagoretti North, Nyongesa maintained a respectful tone. He acknowledged that the sitting MP has delivered development projects in the constituency.
However, he argued that the area now needs fresh ideas and new energy, especially from younger leaders who understand the realities facing ordinary residents.
He also noted that some sections of Kawangware and nearby areas are sometimes overlooked when support programs are being distributed. He hopes to focus more attention on such places if given the opportunity to lead. His vision, he said, is to help families rise above the poverty line through practical economic initiatives.
On political parties, Nyongesa said he is still consulting residents before deciding the best path for the 2027 elections. He insisted that his decision will be guided by what the people of Dagoretti North want. For now, he is concentrating on listening to residents and building a manifesto based on their priorities.
The interview also explored the wider debate about youth leadership in Kenya. Nyongesa said more young people are now showing interest in politics because they want to participate in decision-making instead of remaining on the sidelines. He described this period as an important moment for generational change, arguing that younger leaders bring fresh thinking and firsthand experience of economic struggles.
Even though he admitted that politics in Nairobi is expensive and highly competitive, he expressed confidence that genuine connection with voters can still make a difference. He pointed out that building trust with the community takes time and cannot happen overnight.
Nyongesa also spoke honestly about the progress of his community initiatives. He mentioned that his programs have helped around 150 young people in one area, though he admitted the work is still growing and not fully documented. He said he is now working on creating better structures to track impact and expand the initiatives gradually.
Beyond local politics, the discussion briefly touched on Kenya’s relationship with international partners during the visit of the French president to the country. Nyongesa said Kenya should engage with global partners carefully while protecting national interests.
The conversation presented Nyongesa as a calm and focused young aspirant who wants to build his political journey around economic empowerment and community engagement.
Rather than attacking opponents or making exaggerated promises, he focused on the realities he has witnessed in Dagoretti North and the need for practical solutions.
His message reflects the growing belief among many young Kenyans that fresh leadership could help address long-standing challenges affecting ordinary citizens.
