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Meet the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

Meet Gachui Agnes Kariuki, member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board

As a lawyer, governance expert and youth leader, Gachui Agnes Kariuki believes democracy is not something citizens simply inherit—it is something they choose to protect every day. Through her work with Ustawi-Ke, Manifesto Yetu and Kenya’s political landscape, she is helping create spaces where young people can move from frustration to participation, and from political observers to democratic actors.

As a member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Gachui brings a perspective rooted in constitutionalism, dialogue and inclusive political participation. Her work combines legal expertise with grassroots civic engagement, always guided by one central belief: democracy becomes stronger when young people are trusted to shape it.

Politics as a commitment to democracy

For Gachui, politics was never simply about joining a political party or pursuing elected office. Her journey began through governance, law and public service.

As an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, she has long worked to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold constitutional principles. But over time she realised that protecting democracy also meant engaging directly with political processes.

“Freedom and democracy are not passive states. They are active commitments.”

That conviction led her to establish Ustawi-Ke, an organisation dedicated to promoting constitutionalism, civic engagement and depolarised political dialogue. It also inspired her role as National Convener of Manifesto Yetu, a youth-led movement bringing together young political actors from across Kenya to identify shared priorities for the country’s future.

Alongside these initiatives, Gachui is also an active member of the Jubilee Party, where she continues to advocate for meaningful youth participation and greater inclusion of women in political decision-making.

Rebuilding trust with a new generation

When asked about the greatest challenge facing young people in politics today, Gachui doesn’t point to apathy.

Instead, she speaks about trust.

She believes many young people have become disillusioned because political institutions too often appear disconnected from the values they expect: integrity, accountability and service to the public.

“Young people are not disengaged. They are looking for a political culture that respects their intellect and aspirations.”

For Gachui, the problem is not that young people lack interest in politics. Rather, many struggle to identify with political systems that become dominated by personalities instead of institutions, or by short-term political competition instead of long-term democratic principles.

She believes political parties have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to rebuild that trust by becoming more transparent, values-driven and genuinely responsive to citizens’ needs.

Creating spaces where young voices matter

Much of Gachui’s work focuses on creating opportunities for young people to engage with politics in practical ways.

Through Manifesto Yetu, she has helped facilitate nationwide conversations where young Kenyans identify the issues they want political leaders to address—from employment and education to governance and democratic reforms.

For her, participation is not limited to voting every few years. It means creating continuous spaces for dialogue between citizens, political parties, civil society and public institutions.

That same philosophy guided her participation at the People’s Dialogue Festival 2026, where she welcomed citizens to engage directly with political parties, democratic institutions and civil society organisations. Her message was simple: meaningful participation begins with conversation.

“Come and talk to us. Form a dialogue.”

A message to political leaders

If she could send one message to political leaders today, Gachui’s answer is direct.

“We are the custodians of our future, and we refuse to throw away our sovereignty.”

She believes leadership should always place democratic institutions above partisan interests and remain firmly grounded in integrity, patriotism and respect for human dignity.

For Gachui, democracy depends not only on elections, but on leaders who understand that public office is a responsibility to serve citizens within the rule of law.

Choosing hope

Despite the many challenges facing democratic governance, Gachui remains optimistic.

She draws hope from the growing number of young people who are organising around justice, constitutional values and peaceful political engagement.

Every conversation held through Ustawi-Ke, every dialogue facilitated through Manifesto Yetu, and every young person choosing participation over disengagement reinforces her belief that democratic change is possible.

For her, democracy is not sustained by institutions alone—it is sustained by citizens who decide, every day, to defend it.

About Gachui Agnes Kariuki

• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
• Director, Ustawi-Ke
• National Convener, Manifesto Yetu
• Member, Jubilee Party
• Member of the WYDE Political Parties Youth Advisory Board

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