Gen Z-led 'tuko kadi' movement sparks new dance

The new 'tuko kadi' Gen-Z movement calling young Kenyans to get their voter registration cards ahead of the 2027 elections has created a viral dance challenge for the agenda. 

The 'tuko kadi' trend, initiated by Ademba Allans, a young journalism student, became an online sensation, encouraging youths to register as voters ahead of the 2027 elections and be part of shifting the nation's governance.

Young citizens have since turned up in large numbers to polling stations, leading to the creation of the 'tuko kadi' dance challenge.

Videos trending on social media show youths in a line, with the 'tuko kadi' convener Allans and youth activist Hanifa Adan at the front line.

The youths sing a famous children's anthem, 'Brikicho Banture,' where each person playfully swings in the opposite direction of the person standing next to them.

The song progresses to the chant 'tuko kadi' while waving Kenyan flags and breaking into a random dance while walking around.

""Tuko kadi! Tuko kadi! Chukua kadi, chukua IEBC," the youths chant, rallying the youth to have a voter registration card.

Videos circulated on the internet showing young people in a queue in another polling station, singing jubilant chants and dancing along.

The viral dance attracted comments from other youths on social media, drawing motivation from the movement.

"How many people can a WhatsApp group hold? Guys, we need leaders!" a user commented, underscoring the need for new leaders ahead of the general elections.

Others held different views on the movement, saying the current leaders had developed communities.

"Wantam without a person to put in there. Criticising when other communities receive development," a user said.

Allans, in a strategic move to draw more youth into the movement, recently encouraged its spread across the country.

“I want to see lines of young people registering in Turkana, Busia, Kisumu, and every other county. Wherever you are, come out and take part."

He noted that the movement has received a lot of support from other young people, bringing water and snacks to refresh the voters in line.

"When young people show up, they make things work. That’s the same spirit we want to see this week," Allans noted.

He noted that youth representation in voter registration was low in previous elections, undermining the impact of the youth in democracy.

He further challenged the youth, highlighting the potential for a better future in governance if the young people showed up to vote.

“If you’re not ready to register, then you’re not ready to shape the future,” he added.

While young people make up a significant portion of the population, their representation in voter registration and turnout has historically lagged behind expectations.