Following prolonged controversy surrounding the National Youth Council (NYC) elections, Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has rescheduled the polls to October.
In a gazette notice dated July 10, 2026, Mvurya said the postponement was necessary to ensure compliance with voter education requirements under Regulation 21 of the National Youth Council (Election of Certain Council Members) Regulations, 2021.
“NOW therefore, it is notified for the information of the general public that, pursuant to Regulation 19 (3) of the National Youth Council (Election of Certain Council Members) Regulations, 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, has postponed the National Youth Council Elections that were scheduled to be held from the 5th–26th July, 2026,” reads part of the notice.
Under the revised timetable, ward-level elections will be held on October 9, constituency elections on October 16, and national-level polls on October 30.
The postponement comes after the High Court in Kisumu temporarily halted the elections by issuing conservatory orders pending the hearing and determination of a constitutional petition challenging the process.
Justice Alfred Mabeya suspended the ward elections that had been scheduled for July 5, constituency elections set for July 16, and the National Youth Congress elections slated for July 27, all published in Gazette Notice No. 5586 of April 17, 2026.
The court also barred the respondents, their agents and servants from conducting the elections until they fully comply with the National Youth Council (Election of Certain Council Members) Regulations, 2021.
Additionally, Justice Mabeya directed the respondents to publish a verified and publicly accessible final voters' register to ensure the election process complies with the law.
The orders followed a petition by Austine Ogalo, who argues that the planned elections violate the Constitution and the council's election regulations.
Ogalo claims the process lacked transparency, citing the absence of a publicly available final voters' register, failure to publish the list of cleared candidates, inadequate civic education, poor public communication, and the failure to establish and gazette constituency election steering committees and appoint election officials.
He argues that these shortcomings violate constitutional provisions on transparency, access to information and youth participation, and could disenfranchise millions of young Kenyans.
Justice Mabeya said the reasons for granting the conservatory orders will be contained in a detailed ruling scheduled for September 18, 2026.