Leaders in the Coast region have urged youth to turn out in large numbers to register as voters during the ongoing mass voter registration exercise.
They said this would strengthen the region’s bargaining power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The call was made following a 10-kilometre early-morning jog involving more than 1000 youth from Mombasa, which started in Nyali and culminated at the Mama Ngina Waterfront.
Businessman Abubakar Ali Joho, the elder brother of Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Joho, used the occasion to sensitise the youth on the importance of voter registration and urged them to shun drug and substance abuse.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), during the 2022 General Election, Mombasa led the region with 641,913 registered voters, followed by Kilifi with 588,602, Kwale with 328,253, Taita Taveta with 181,827, Tana River with 141,096 and Lamu with 81,453.
The businessman pleaded with the youth to maintain peace and to be disciplined to secure job opportunities. He also urged the youth and their kin to register in numbers as voters to elect responsible leaders who will champion the region’s interests.
“This time, we don’t want to be given direction by other people; we don’t hate them, but our weapon and respect are our votes,” stated Joho.
“My agenda today is simple: register as voters in the Coast region. You have promised me. Register your mother, father, brother, sister and neighbour so that we can have a strong voice to speak for the region through our leaders,” he added.
Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri pledged to sponsor 75 youth to get passports to benefit from the government’s overseas jobs.
He told the youth to go to the Huduma centre on Monday to start the process of getting passports.
“From January, I will be looking for job opportunities abroad for you to go and work,” stated the Speaker, urging the youth to shun indecorous behaviours and to form groups.
Senator Mohamed Faki also promised to sponsor 25 youth to obtain passports, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 100. He urged the youth to coexist harmoniously and register as voters in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
“We don’t want to do guesswork in 2027; we want to be sure through numbers. We have come out in large numbers today, and I know many more could attend,” said Senator Faki.
County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Development, Mohamed Hussein, echoed the sentiments, urging the youth to register in large numbers to bring positive change to their lives through the election of leaders of their choice.
Huduma Centre Manager Harrison Yego said the issuance of national identity cards is free and advised those without essential documents to visit Huduma Centres for assistance.
He also encouraged the youth to form groups to benefit from government financial inclusion programmes.
By Sadik Hassan
