Kenya’s democratic journey hinges on the sovereignty of its people, as enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution. Yet, as Major James Oswago, former CEO of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, highlighted in a recent SpiceFM interview, low voter registration and turnout, particularly among Gen Z, stem from inadequate voter education and distrust in the electoral process.
Historical voter turnout data reveals both the potential and pitfalls of engaging citizens. The 2013 election’s success, driven by the excitement of biometric technology and robust mobilisation, justifies a continuous digital voter education system to reinvigorate civic participation. The 2013 general election, with 14.35 million registered voters and an 86 per cent turnout (approximately 12.34 million votes), marked a high point in Kenya’s electoral history. The introduction of Biometric Voter Registration kits, electronic voter identification and results transmission systems sparked public enthusiasm, as these tools promised transparency after the disputed 2007 election.
The IEBC’s SMS campaigns, leveraging Kenya’s high mobile penetration, relentlessly urged citizens to register and vote, mirroring the Central Bank’s currency change campaign that was praised for its effective communication. This digital innovation and proactive outreach empowered voters, framing the election as a national priority.
However, subsequent elections saw declining turnout. The 2017 election achieved 79 per cent turnout (15.46 million votes from 19.61 million registered voters), while the October 2017 repeat election plummeted to 39 per cent (7.62 million valid votes), largely due to an opposition boycott and voter apathy fuelled by distrust. By 2022, turnout fell to 64.77 per cent (14.33 million votes from 22.12 million registered voters), reflecting growing disenchantment with politics. Technical glitches in 2013’s biometric systems and perceptions of rigging in later elections eroded trust, underscoring the need for sustained voter education to rebuild confidence.
To address these challenges, Kenya must adopt a continuous, two-pronged voter education curriculum for school-going students and adults, delivered through a digital platform. For students, voter education should be integrated into co-curricular activities like school clubs, where the curriculum teaches sovereignty, voter rights, the voting process, referendums, recall, ethics, integrity and the roles of government and Chapter 15 commissions. Tailored to grade levels, this curriculum ensures high school graduates are ready to register and vote. For adults, advanced modules can counter apathy, building on foundational knowledge.
A digital voter education app, featuring tutorials, comprehension tests and downloadable certificates, would make learning accessible and engaging. For Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, gamification with badges and influencer-led campaigns could replicate the 2013 biometric excitement.
The IEBC’s existing digital infrastructure, like the voter verification portal (verify.iebc.or.ke), proves its capacity to support such a system. However, offline methods—podcasts, radio, workshops—must complement digital efforts to reach rural voters, ensuring inclusivity.
Political parties should be mandated to ensure 80 per cent of their members complete the curriculum, either online or through branch-led programmes, with returns submitted to the Political Parties Registrar, IEBC and Parliament.
This aligns with Oswago’s call for collective responsibility, leveraging parties’ grassroots networks to amplify outreach. Civil society and education stakeholders must co-design and monitor the curriculum, using completion data to refine content and address distrust, a key driver of voter apathy.
Oswago estimated voter education costs at Sh3–5 billion per period, a hurdle given Parliament’s historical reluctance to fund it over registration. I say this cost can be reduced through the adoption of a digital voter education platform. However, the digital divide, with limited internet access in rural areas, demands a hybrid approach. Political resistance from parties fearing empowered voters and bureaucratic coordination issues could also impede implementation.
A continuous, digital voter education system can empower Kenyans to wield their sovereign power, ensuring democracy thrives through informed, active participation.
Social consciousness theorist and author of ‘The Gigantomachy of Samaismela’ and ‘The Trouble with Kenya: McKenzian Blueprint’
To succeed, Kenya should pilot the curriculum in select schools and regions, refining it with stakeholder feedback. Public-private partnerships with tech firms and civil society can offset app development costs, while legislative advocacy must prioritise voter education funding. Youth ambassadors, drawn from top completers, can leverage social media to sustain engagement, echoing the 2013 SMS campaign’s impact. The 2013 election’s biometric-driven enthusiasm proves digital tools can galvanise voters.
