The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is rallying young Kenyans to register as voters, warning the declining number of young voters could weaken their influence in shaping the country’s future.
Recent Gen-Z-led protests show anger and disillusionment with the current system but to see real change, they must register to vote and cast their ballots. They need to make apathy a thing of the past, the IEBC says.
IEBC statistics show youth aged between 18 and 34 years accounted for 39.84 per cent of registered voters in 2022 — a drop of 5.27 percentage points from 2017.
Female youth registration fell by 7.75 per cent in that period, while male youth registration dropped by 2.89 per cent.
Registration of young people has been declining despite the fact that about 75 per cent of the country’s population is younger than age 35, according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census.
In theory, this demographic advantage gives young people the numbers to be the single most decisive voting bloc — if they register and turn out to vote.
Historically, youth turnout has lagged behind older age groups, and many young people cite disillusionment with politics, difficulties in acquiring national IDs, frequent relocation for studies or work, and a belief that their vote does not make a difference.
IEBC commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana says voter apathy is most pronounced among the youth, and says reversing this trend will require more than registration campaigns.
“What the nation requires, particularly from our young people, is civic education — not just about voting, but about our obligations to the state and the state’s obligations to us,” he told the Star.
He said the commission plans to “meet young people at their doorsteps” — particularly online.
“Young people have moved to the internet space. We will go to them because Kenya cannot move forward without its youth. We are already mapping out the spaces they occupy so we can tap into their thoughts, ideas, and youthful energy.”
Past elections have shown that when young people mobilise—as in the 2002 polls—they can decisively influence outcomes. But without consistent participation, their voice in governance is muted.
National coordinator Mulle Musau of the Election Observer Group (Elog) also urged the youth to match their calls for change with concrete action.
“The clamour for change being driven by Gen Z must not end in the streets. Beyond protests, they must participate effectively in the election process—starting with registering as voters. They have the numbers to make a difference.”
The IEBC says its upcoming civic
education and registration drives will target campuses, youth events, and
online platforms to ensure that the country’s largest demographic takes its
rightful place at the ballot box in 2027.
