Unpacking Civic Engagement in Kenya: A Look at the Numbers

At the Centre for Governance and Policy Analysis Kenya (CGPAK), our mission is to understand and strengthen the relationship between citizens and their government.

The events of June 2024, where a nationwide, youth-led movement emerged in protest of the then-proposed Finance Bill, serve as a stark reminder of the power of public opinion. While these protests were unprecedented in their scale and speed, a deeper look at long-term civic engagement data reveals that the conditions for such a movement have been simmering for years.

By analyzing recent studies on citizen participation, we can better understand the forces at play and what they mean for the future of governance in Kenya.

The Erosion of Traditional Political Engagement

A long-term view of political engagement reveals a concerning trend of disaffiliation from formal politics. Data tracking voter participation and political affiliation from 2011 to 2021 shows a gradual decline. The percentage of Kenyans who feel close to a political party has dropped significantly, from a high of 58% to just 49%. While the rate of voting in national elections remains high, it has also seen a modest dip from 82% to 79%. This trend suggests a growing public skepticism toward traditional political parties and a widening disconnect between citizens and the established political class.

A Striking Generational Divide

The data highlights a significant chasm between younger and older Kenyans in almost every measure of civic action. Comparing citizens aged 18-35 with those 36 and above shows that older Kenyans are consistently more engaged in conventional political processes. For example:

• Voting: A staggering 93% of Kenyans over 36 voted in the last election, compared to only 65% of the youth.
• Political Affiliation: 55% of older citizens feel close to a political party, a figure that drops to 45% for the youth.
• Contacting Leaders: Older Kenyans are more likely to contact both local government councillors (35% vs. 19%) and Members of Parliament (26% vs. 10%).

This persistent gap in traditional political participation helps explain why the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, largely organized and mobilized by a new generation of digital-native youth, caught many off guard. The youth were not engaging through the conventional channels, but their lack of engagement did not equate to apathy.

The Power of Latent Protest

The most powerful indicator of the recent protests can be found in the data on public sentiment toward demonstrations. The graphics reveal that while only 6% of Kenyans reported having participated in a protest in the past year, an overwhelming 44% stated they “did not protest, but would if they had the chance.” This finding is crucial. It shows that beneath the surface of low participation rates, there was a vast, untapped reserve of civic will ready to be mobilized by a compelling and relevant cause.

The youth-led protests against the Finance Bill tapped directly into this latent desire for action. They demonstrated that while the younger generation may not trust or engage with traditional political structures, they are highly motivated to participate in collective action on issues that directly affect their lives and future. The protests were not an anomaly; they were a powerful and direct expression of a civic energy that was not being captured by outdated forms of political measurement.

The Enduring Strength of Local Action

Amidst the national-level disengagement, the data provides a strong signal of hope at the community level. The most common form of collective action is “attending a community meeting,” with 50% of Kenyans reporting participation. This is far higher than contacting an MP (14%) and even higher than contacting a local government councillor (26%).

The data also demonstrates a clear correlation: when local government councillors are perceived as being responsive and listening to their constituents, citizens are more likely to engage with them. This shows that trust is built at the local level through direct, tangible interactions.

The Path Forward: A New Era of Engagement

The June 2024 protests, driven by youth mobilizing through non-traditional means, were a watershed moment for Kenyan governance. They revealed a fundamental shift in how citizens—particularly the youth—are choosing to participate. The data we have analyzed confirms that this wasn’t a sudden event, but the culmination of long-term trends of declining trust in formal politics and a potent, latent desire for change.

For CGPAK, this reaffirms our commitment to bridging these gaps. We must work to empower youth voices, strengthen responsive local governance, and ensure that our policies are informed by the lived realities of all Kenyans. The era of engagement is not over—it is simply taking a new and more powerful form.

Source:Kenya-Country-scorecard-on-citizen-engagement-Afrobarometer-Print-5june25