TRENDS IN YOUTH POLITICAL MOBILIZATION IN THARAKA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA, 1895 -2022

Abstract

Kenyan youth have remained central to electoral and political mobilization. Kenyan youth have been a key constituent for political mobilization since the country's independence. Politicians across the country have, in most cases, co opted the youth in electoral competitions to either retain or wrestle power from opponents. Despite their numerical strength, importance and historical relevance, little attempt has been made to analyze trends in youth political mobilization in Tharaka-North sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, between 1895 and 2022. The main objective of the study was to investigate the Trends of Youth Political Mobilization in Tharaka-North sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya between 1895 to 2022. The significance of this study was to help youth increase their political participation, help scholars to understand on how to overcome challenges that hinders youth participation in politics and to provide a comprehensive analysis of youth political Mobilization so as to take historical trajectory. This study adopted an exploratory research design. The study employed both primary and secondary data to accomplish its goals. The respondents for the field interviews were selected using stratified random and purposive sampling approaches. Stratified random sampling was used to select 90 probability ample respondents who comprised of ordinary youth residing in Tharaka North-Sub County in the period understudy. This was backed up by purposive sampling technique which was used to select 10purposive sample respondents mostly youth leaders and elders. Research instruments to be used included questionnaires and interview schedules with open ended questions. Qualitative methods of data analysis and interpretation were used. Anchored on the theory of patron-client relationship this study found that the political class take advantage of the desperate situation of the youth to promise goodies if propelled to positions of power and distribution of public resources by officials to supporters in exchange for their staunch loyalty. Based on these findings the study recommended that the government should put in place strategies will improve youth participation in the political process rather than treating them as a stepping stool for politicians to ascend to power.