Political Ringside recently hosted a conversation that focused on one of the biggest discussions in Kenya today, the role of young people in shaping the country’s future.
Host Soita Wafula sat down with Richard Miruka, a candidate for the presidency of the National Youth Council (NYC), for a discussion that went beyond politics and explored leadership, personal growth, and the future of youth participation in governance.
At a time when many young Kenyans are looking for meaningful representation, Miruka shared his journey and explained why he believes the next generation should not only speak about change but also take responsibility for leading it.
Richard Miruka’s story begins with humble roots. Born in Kaloleni, he has lived in different parts of the country, including Kisii and Kibera.
These experiences exposed him to different cultures, communities, and ways of life from an early age.
Rather than seeing these changes as challenges, he believes they helped him understand the diversity that makes Kenya unique.
They also taught him the importance of listening to different people and finding common ground when working together.
Professionally, Miruka describes himself as a software engineer, technical mentor, and community builder.
His work has largely focused on empowering young people through technology. In Kibera, he leads an organization that mentors more than one thousand young people by helping them learn technology skills that can improve their livelihoods.
He believes that giving young people practical skills is one of the most effective ways to create opportunities and reduce unemployment.
Beyond technical training, the mentorship also aims to build confidence, discipline, and the ability to solve problems.
Leadership has been a constant part of Miruka’s life. He explained that he started taking up leadership responsibilities while still in primary school and continued through high school and university.
These early experiences taught him that leadership is not about having a title. Instead, it is about serving others, taking responsibility, and helping people achieve shared goals. He believes these lessons continue to guide him as he seeks to serve young people at the national level.
Family also plays a central role in Miruka’s philosophy. Growing up as the firstborn in a family of 11 children meant carrying responsibilities from a young age.
Coming from a polygamous family and living in different regions of Kenya gave him valuable lessons about sharing, resilience, and respecting different perspectives. He believes strong families are the foundation of a strong nation because they shape the values that children carry into adulthood.
Miruka also reflected on his own family life, sharing that he got married at the age of 25 and is now a father to a young son. He encouraged young leaders to invest in building stable families alongside their careers and public service.
According to him, personal leadership begins at home, where values such as honesty, responsibility, and respect are first learned.
The discussion also examined the lessons from the June 2024 youth protests, which brought thousands of young Kenyans together to demand accountability and better governance. Miruka acknowledged that many young people feel disconnected from traditional politics because they believe many leaders do not fully understand the challenges they face, including unemployment, access to education, and limited economic opportunities.
He argued that while peaceful civic action remains important, young people should also seek positions where they can directly influence decisions and policies.
For that reason, he believes the National Youth Council has an important role to play.
In his view, the council should become a platform that genuinely represents young people and works to solve real problems instead of simply existing as an institution with titles and positions.
He said effective leadership should focus on creating opportunities, supporting innovation, and ensuring that young voices are heard during policy discussions.
Throughout the interview, Miruka emphasized that leadership is defined by responsibility and positive influence rather than age.
He believes young leaders bring fresh ideas, a better understanding of technology, and firsthand knowledge of the issues affecting their generation.
At the same time, he stressed the importance of working with older leaders, saying that experience and youthful energy should complement each other instead of competing.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Miruka believes Kenya’s youth have an opportunity to shape the country’s political future in a more organized and constructive way.
He called on young leaders to unite around shared goals, develop their leadership skills, and actively participate in governance instead of waiting for others to create change on their behalf. He believes the energy displayed by young people in recent years can be transformed into practical solutions, stronger institutions, and policies that respond to the needs of citizens.
The conversation served as a reminder that Kenya is entering a period where youth participation is becoming increasingly important. Many young people are no longer satisfied with watching politics from the sidelines. Instead, they want to contribute to decision-making and help shape the country’s future.
Through his personal story, leadership experience, and vision for the National Youth Council, Richard Miruka presented his belief that lasting change comes through service, unity, and consistent effort.
Conversations such as the one on Political Ringside continue to highlight the growing determination among young leaders to take part in building a stronger and more inclusive nation.
