of a Ksh 10 million allocation for youth innovation hubs in the county budget. This was a direct result of welldocumented proposals submitted by young professionals who understood both the needs of their peers and the workings of county finance.
Advising Local Leaders
Young lawyers, economists, planners, and health professionals can position themselves as technical advisors to county officials. Many counties lack in-house expertise to analyze data, craft policies, or monitor programs. Through fellowships or volunteerism, young professionals can fill these gaps.
The Emerging Leaders Foundation, for example, has placed dozens of youth in county governments through its leadership development programs, where they contribute to real-time governance decisions, from healthcare financing in Kakamega to trade policy in Kisii.
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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry( KNCCI) has county chapters that work closely with local governments. Young entrepreneurs can join or form sectoral associations to push for pro-business reforms, such as lower licensing fees or better market infrastructure.
In Nairobi County, the Youth in Trade Forum has successfully lobbied for the digitization of market stall allocations to reduce corruption and increase transparency. Their advocacy was informed by research, presented through publicprivate dialogue forums, and sustained by strategic partnerships with trade officers. Engaging in Civic Tech and Data
Digital tools are unlocking new ways to monitor local government performance. From tracking budget implementation to exposing ghost projects, young tech-savvy professionals are changing the game.
Platforms like Mzalendo, Open County( by Devolution Hub), and county-specific budget trackers are empowering citizens with information. In Kisumu, a group of youth developers created an app that maps health facilities and feedback from users, which was later adopted by the county ' s Department of Health to improve services.
Storytelling and Policy Advocacy
Narratives matter. Policy is influenced not only by data but also by compelling human stories. Young communicators, journalists, and digital content creators can curate and tell stories that shape public opinion and put pressure on local leaders to act.
For instance, in Turkana County, a digital storytelling campaign highlighting the struggles of women traders accessing water led to the construction of a borehole at a key market. The campaign, led by university students interning with a local NGO, combined photos, data, and testimonies to move decision-makers.
Local Influence, Continental Impact
What happens in one county can inspire change across the continent. One model that has worked for one region can either be replicated or tailor made to support and improve the next. The African Union’ s Agenda 2063 emphasizes inclusive development, and local governments are seen as essential players in that vision. When young professionals innovate locally; whether through health financing reforms, digitization, or participatory planning, they are creating models that can scale. These innovations feed into national strategies, inform regional peer learning, and shift the continental narrative from dependency to agency.
Moreover, young people who start local build the credibility and insight needed to scale their influence. Many of Kenya’ s most prominent policy voices began by solving problems in their counties or sub-counties, long before appearing on national stages.
A Call to Action: Reclaiming Local Spaces
Africa’ s policy future will be determined not just in capital cities but in county halls, ward offices, and local chambers. For young professionals seeking to shape that future, the most strategic entry point may be the one closest to them.
Engaging locally isn’ t a consolation prize; it’ s a power move. It’ s where you can see the direct results of your efforts, build coalitions, and create innovations that others can follow. As Kenya continues to deepen devolution, and as Africa grows more interconnected, the local becomes the launchpad for the continental.
So, before you look up, look around. The future is local- and it’ s calling.
Lim Hazel is an SME programs specialist. You can commune with her via mail at: Limmasiga @ gmail. com.