NCIC Pushes for Youth Inclusion Through Transgenerational Conversations in Informal Settlements

Njeri Irungu
Nairobi, Kenya – September 10, 2025

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has stepped up its engagement with young people living in informal settlements, with a renewed call for greater inclusion, access to opportunities, and an end to political tokenism.

Speaking during a public forum in Kibra Constituency on Wednesday, NCIC Chairperson Rev. Samuel Kobia said the commission’s Transgenerational Conversations initiative, launched in September 2024, seeks to give a platform to marginalized voices, particularly youth in Nairobi’s informal settlements.

“We wanted to give these young people the opportunity to air out what they really wanted to say—to the government, to NCIC, and to Kenyans,” Rev. Kobia said. “Many of them feel excluded and unheard, yet they are the ones who face the least opportunities for advancement.”

According to Rev. Kobia, youth in informal settlements consistently raised three key issues during recent engagements in Kibra, Kawangware, and Kangemi: limited access to jobs and economic opportunities, exclusion from meaningful decision-making, and frustration over being used for political tokenism.

“The Constitution and the NCIC Act guarantee equal access to opportunities, but young people here tell us they do not benefit,” he explained. “They also feel that when they are invited to forums, it is often for public relations purposes rather than genuine engagement. We want to move beyond that and ensure implementation of their proposals.”

To address these concerns, NCIC plans to adopt a multi-agency approach, bringing together government departments, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies to create pathways for youth advancement. Rev. Kobia cited the upcoming police recruitment as one example where quotas could be set aside for young people from informal settlements who lack political connections or financial influence.

“We will advocate for a framework that ensures fairness,” he said. “If 40,000 officers are being recruited, a significant number should come from informal settlements. These young people must not be left behind.”

The commission also raised concerns over the use of places of worship by politicians for partisan speeches, a matter flagged by residents during the forums. Rev. Kobia said NCIC is monitoring such utterances closely, warning that they can fuel division.

“We were very pleased when some church leaders declared that politicians will no longer be allowed to speak during services. Places of worship are sacred and should remain free from political manipulation,” he said.

The Transgenerational Conversations have so far been held in Marsabit County and Nairobi County’s Kibra, Kawangware, and Kangemi, with plans to expand to other regions. Rev. Kobia emphasized that the program is especially important following the unprecedented civic awakening led by Gen Z in 2024, which forced major policy shifts, including the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill.

“Kenyan youth opened up this country in a way we had never seen before,” he said. “Now, our role as NCIC is to ensure that their voices—especially those in informal settlements—translate into lasting change.”