This study investigates the factors affecting rural youth active political participation in Alge Sachi Woreda of Ilu Aba Bora zone of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Two hundred twenty four (224) rural youths were randomly sampled from nine (9) clustered kebeles among 29 rural kebeles in the Woreda. Open-ended questionnaires for those selected sample size and semi structured interviews for those key informants were used to collect data. The data were analysed with the aid of statistical tables, frequency count and percentages followed by inference analysis to test the research hypothesis based on the descriptive approach research design. The study reveals that, political fear, lack of enough education of political elites, lack of infrastructures, partisan attachment and incumbent performances are the major factors affecting the rural youth’s active political participation. The study also reveals age as a chronic factor that delimits rural youth’s active participation in the traditional political institutions.

Keywords: Rural Youth, Active Political Participation, Alge Sachi, Ethioppia