Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for a comprehensive review of democracy and governance institutions to better align them with the 21st century.
The County boss said the modernisation should be premised on the broader goal of empowering the youth.
“It’s time to reimagine our institutions to reflect the tools and perspectives of today’s world. By doing so, we can engage young people more effectively and address the challenges they face,” Sakaja said.
He spoke at the 11th Bloomberg City Lab 2024 in Mexico City where he addressed prominent urban leaders and thinkers.
Bloomberg CityLab 2024 convened more than 500 mayors and leading policymakers, innovators, and creatives.
Through panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, interactive breakout sessions, artistic performances, and excursions across Mexico City, the summit delves into the solutions shaped by city halls around the world that are poised to reshape nations.
During the summit, Sakaja raised concerns with existing democratic structures noting that they are designed to serve the 19th Century and operate on outdated frameworks.
The governor said it is on that basis that he has initiated reforms in Nairobi that seek to empower youth.
“In Nairobi, I legalized photography and content creation in public spaces—previously prohibited. This has created thousands of jobs for young content creators, showcasing how urban policy can unlock youth potential,” Sakaja explained.
CityLab 2024, following the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Summit, brings together leading urban thinkers to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change, migration, and automation, while exploring strategies to empower cities.
Past speakers have included U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and mayors from major cities like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Mexico City.
Every year, Bloomberg Philanthropies hosts CityLab, the preeminent global cities summit which gathers the most influential mayors and voices from hundreds of cities worldwide.
The tenth Bloomberg CityLab took place in Washington, D.C. in October 2023 in partnership with the Aspen Institute