The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has suspended the upcoming National Youth Council (NYC) elections that were scheduled for October.In a statement on Thursday, October 8, the ministry said the suspension followed a High Court ruling staying the elections.The ministry said it would issue new dates and further directions after the court proceedings.“The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports wishes to inform the public that it has been served with a court order issued by the High Court at Kiambu, staying the implementation of Gazette Notice No. 10421, through which the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports gazetted the 2026 National Youth Council (NYC) Elections,” the ministry stated."In compliance with the court order, the elections will not proceed on the previously gazetted dates, pending further directions or determination by the Court," it added.The National Youth Elections were scheduled to take place in October, with different levels from the Ward level to the national level.According to a Gazette Notice, ward-level elections were scheduled for October 9, 2026, followed by constituency-level elections on October 16.Elected officials were then to convene for the National Youth Congress on October 30, when 580 delegates elected from constituencies across the country would converge to elect 16 national representatives. Meanwhile, the Ministry assured all voter aspirants and all stakeholders of its commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure the electoral process is conducted in accordance with the law.The ministry said the suspension would not affect the ongoing voter education and sensitisation, with the activities set to continue as planned."The Ministry assures all registered voters, aspirants, youth stakeholders, partners, and the general public of its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the electoral process is conducted in accordance with the applicable legal framework," the Ministry said.The National Youth Council is a State Corporation established under the National Youth Council Act No. 10 of 2009 to serve as the official voice of young Kenyans.Since its inception in 2009, it has not held any election of officials, with the ministry citing underfunding and a series of legal battles challenging the attempt to hold an election.The October elections were seeking to end this 14-year wait, but have since been obstructed by the court.
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