A section of political leaders in Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a, have stepped up efforts to rally residents, especially young people, to register as voters ahead of the deadline for the ongoing enhanced voter registration exercise.
The leaders, led by Njathi Mwangi, took their message directly to the people through a mobilisation caravan that traversed several parts of the constituency, urging eligible voters not to miss the opportunity to take part in shaping the country’s leadership.
Addressing residents during the campaign, Njathi observed that young people hold the key to the future of governance in the country but can only influence it if they actively participate in elections.
“Young people must understand that leadership is decided at the ballot. If they fail to register and vote, they lose the moral ground to question the kind of leadership they get,” he remarked.
Njathi, who was accompanied by Kinyona MCA Liz Mbugua among other leaders, revealed that in Mathioya they have set an ambitious target of registering more than 7,000 new voters within the month.
He expressed confidence that the target is achievable if more youth heed the call and turn up in large numbers at registration centers.
The mobilisation comes amid concerns that many eligible voters, particularly in rural and interior areas, may be left out due to logistical challenges.
To address this, Njathi called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to enhance their presence on the ground.
“We are appealing to the IEBC to increase the number of KIEMS kits and ensure clerks are well facilitated to reach even the most remote villages. Every Kenyan deserves a fair chance to register,” he noted.
In addition to targeting new voters, the leaders also urged older residents who have previously registered to take time to verify their details to avoid last-minute inconveniences during elections.
Njathi warned that failure to participate in the electoral process often leads to poor leadership outcomes, stressing that voting is not just a right but a responsibility.
“Poor leadership is often a reflection of voter apathy and if people do not come out to vote, they should not be surprised by the results,” he added.
Residents who interacted with the leaders welcomed the initiative, with many acknowledging the need for increased civic education to boost voter turnout, particularly among first-time applicants.
The caravan is expected to continue across the constituency in the coming days as leaders intensify their push to ensure Mathioya, which has the least registered voters among constituencies in Murang’a county, records a significant increase before the exercise closes.
By Bernard Munyao
