The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Young people are increasingly at the forefront of voter registration efforts, with social media buzzing with hashtags and campaigns urging their peers to sign up in large numbers.
This surge comes as the IEBC rolls out a nationwide exercise targeting over six million new voters ahead of the 2027 polls. Youth-led online movements are playing a key role in this push. One standout initiative is #TukoKadi, a campaign encouraging unregistered individuals to register and share proof online to inspire others.
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Charity Waweru, popularly known as “Gen Z Baddie,” says the hashtag has gone viral and is helping mobilise young voters. Participants often post screenshots of their registration details under the tag, creating momentum across platforms.
She is also supporting another youth-driven campaign, Register na Mbogi, which encourages groups of young people—especially in Nairobi—to physically visit registration centres together. The impact is already visible, with hundreds of youths registering in areas like Kasarani within hours.
Although currently concentrated in Nairobi, there are plans to expand these initiatives to nearby counties to boost youth participation countrywide. Waweru notes that past low turnout among young voters was partly due to a lack of relatable leaders to inspire engagement.
Despite the growing momentum, she believes more can be done and urges youth in other regions to step up. She also calls on the IEBC to partner with young people, particularly through social media outreach where most of them are active.
Grassroots leaders are echoing the same message. Youth leader and political aspirant Kijana Nderi stresses that registration is key to influencing leadership, warning that apathy leads to poor governance. He urges young people to move beyond online complaints and actively participate in elections.
Similarly, Prosperity Alliance Party leader Patrick Muthoni describes voting as a powerful tool, cautioning that unregistered youth risk losing their voice in shaping the country’s future. He attributes low turnout to disillusionment and limited civic awareness but says efforts are underway to mobilise young voters through both digital and grassroots campaigns.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina emphasises that voting is a fundamental democratic right. She warns that failure to register allows leaders who do not represent youth interests to take charge. She also calls for decentralisation of registration centres to make the process more accessible, especially for those struggling financially.
Civil society organisations say the combination of digital campaigns and governance forums is beginning to bear fruit, though the movement is still in its early stages. Mule Musau from Elog notes that youth have the numbers to significantly influence election outcomes if they turn out in large numbers.
IEBC is targeting six million new registrations, adding to the eight million young voters from the last election—a combined bloc that could shape nearly half of the electorate. Officials say they are committed to engaging youth through digital platforms, including plans for online pre-registration systems.
IEBC commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana says the commission will meet young people where they are—primarily online—and ensure they are fully involved in the electoral process. He adds that increased civic education and open engagement will be key as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.
