THE SILENT PWER OF YOUTHS AND POLITICS

By Christine Awino 

Politics is often dismissed by young people as a game for the old, yet it shapes every aspect of their lives from tuition fees to job opportunities. On campuses, debates about corruption, leadership, and governance are common, but when Election Day arrives, many students stay home. This silence weakens their collective power. The paradox is striking: youths are loud in conversation but quiet in participation, leaving decisions to be made without them. Their absence from the ballot box means their frustrations remain just that frustrations, not change.

Young people are the largest demographic in many countries, but their absence from voting booths means their concerns are sidelined. Leaders rarely prioritize youth issues because they know this group is unlikely to show up in numbers. The irony is that students complain about unemployment, poor infrastructure, and bad governance, yet fail to connect these frustrations to the ballot box. It is a cycle of disengagement: leaders ignore them because they don’t vote, and they don’t vote because leaders ignore them.

Still, sparks of change are visible. Youth-led movements, online activism, and campus debates show that students are not apathetic they are frustrated. They want leaders who listen, systems that work, and futures that feel secure. Social media has amplified their voices, allowing them to challenge narratives and mobilize peers. From climate protests to anti-corruption campaigns, young people are proving that they can be catalysts for change when they organize.

The challenge lies in bridging energy with action. Registering to vote, joining civic groups, and holding leaders accountable are steps that turn passion into power. It is not enough to rant online; change requires showing up physically where decisions are made. The digital revolution has given youths tools, but tools must be matched with participation.

Ultimately, politics is not just about parliament; it’s about everyday decisions whether bursaries are funded, whether roads are built, whether jobs exist. When youths realize this, their silent power becomes a force that can reshape nations. The future is not tomorrow it is today, and young people must claim it.