Making politics ‘fun, trendy, sexy’: How Gen Z could shape Kenya’s next election
Ademba Allans is making it “cool” to vote in Kenya. The student journalist turned civic mobiliser launched a voter registration drive on social media earlier this year, using snappy selfies infused with music and humour to target young people. The result astonished him and many observers of Kenyan politics – by the time the registration [...] The post Making politics ‘fun, trendy, sexy’: How Gen…
A young journalist named Ademba Allans is revolutionizing the way people view voting in Kenya. By leveraging social media, Allans has managed to register over 2.6 million new voters in a short period, employing snappy selfies, music, and humor to attract young people. He anticipates registering an additional 2.3 million voters in the upcoming round.
Allans emphasizes the importance of creating excitement around the process – making it "fun, trendy, sexy, fashionable" – as this generated a sense of urgency, prompting many to participate.
Gen Z, an age group born in the late 1990s and early 2000s, played a significant role in recent Kenyan politics. Their mass protests forced the government to back down on a widely unpopular tax bill. Although this led to a police crackdown resulting in casualties, Gen Z is now channeling their anger towards a political establishment they accuse of corruption and police brutality. The demographic advantage is on their side, as more than 30% of voting-age Kenyans are under 35.
Political analyst Tom Mboya suggests that these youth-led movements are unpredictable and require minimal resources, capable of emerging at any time to influence political outcomes. Allans has strategically avoided endorsing a specific candidate or party, encouraging a "swing vote" focused on electing capable leaders. This strategy transcends traditional tribal voting patterns.
The incumbent President, William Ruto, faces growing discontent from the electorate, with over three-quarters of respondents to recent polls expressing dissatisfaction with the country's direction under his leadership. Despite his strong political organizing skills and substantial resources, Ruto's chances of winning seem uncertain due to the fragmented opposition and the potential for a united front against him.
One promising figure among the young activists is Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has garnered significant support from disaffected youth. Sifuna, known for intervening during the 2024 protests to prevent police violence, is now advocating for human rights and rule of law. His "Linda Mwananchi" movement (Protect the Citizen) is gaining traction with young Kenyans eager for change.
Youth activists like Brandon Muremi and Conrad Mutangili are vocal in their demand for transformation and immediate results, particularly in employment opportunities. These sentiments reflect a growing expectation for tangible improvements in living conditions. The upcoming election in 2027 will be a litmus test for the aspirations of Kenya's youth, who hope to shape a new era of leadership in the country.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
