Kenya’s youth are increasingly stepping into spaces where the future of the country is being discussed, and platforms like Mwelekeo TV which is a subsidiary of Mwelekeo Insights are giving them an opportunity to share their voices.
Angel Mbuthia, a well-known youth leader and policy expert, has been using such spaces to speak about the balance between activism and leadership. She argues that young people should not see activism and leadership as separate or competing roles but as steps that work together toward building meaningful change.
Activism has long been a powerful tool for young people to raise their voices. It is the space where issues are brought to light and where society is reminded that problems exist and must be addressed.
Protests, campaigns, and online movements can shake public opinion and push those in power to respond. But Angel Mbuthia explains that activism cannot end there. To see real progress, there must be a shift from just speaking out to guiding the process of change.
This is where leadership becomes important. Leadership gives structure and responsibility. It is about turning those calls into policies, programs, and decisions that can make a real difference in people’s lives.
In her conversations on Mwelekeo TV, Angel has shared her own journey from being a passionate young activist to taking up roles where she could influence decisions. She believes that this is the natural path for young Kenyans who want to make an impact.
First, they raise their voices to be heard, then they take responsibility by joining committees, youth councils, or policymaking spaces where they can turn ideas into action. This balance ensures that the energy of activism is not lost and that leadership stays connected to the real issues affecting ordinary people.
Many young Kenyans face challenges as they try to find this balance. They sometimes lack resources, training, and mentorship to prepare them for leadership roles. Others face resistance from older leaders who are not ready to share decision-making spaces.
Still, Angel’s message is that young people must keep learning, keep speaking, and keep stepping up. Every small effort, whether leading a community project or participating in civic education, builds experience that will help them influence bigger decisions later.When activism and leadership work together, they make progress possible.
Activism ensures that leaders remain accountable, while leadership turns the passion of activists into sustainable solutions. Angel Mbuthia’s example shows that Kenya’s young people can do both.
They can be the voice that demands change and the hands that build it. For them, the challenge is to keep walking that path and making sure their passion leads to action and lasting impact.
