A youth-led voter mobilization campaign, Tuko Kadi, has gained momentum in Kisumu, with religious leaders and youth groups intensifying calls for mass voter registration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The initiative, which began in Nairobi as a grassroots movement spearheaded by youth activists, is rapidly spreading across the country, positioning voter registration as a critical tool for accountability and generational change.
Organisers say the campaign seeks to reverse persistently low youth voter turnout, despite young people constituting the majority of Kenya’s population.
Speaking during a sensitisation forum at Uhuru Park in Kisumu, Anglican cleric Benson George Odhiambo of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Maseno South Diocese, challenged young people to take charge of their political future.
“It is unfortunate that young people have been sidelined and are taking a backseat, yet this nation belongs to the younger generation. Seventy-five per cent of Kenyans are below the age of 35; your vote is your voice, and your voice matters,” he said.
Odhiambo announced that youths will convene at the Huduma Centre in Kisumu on Thursday for a coordinated voter registration drive.
He added that those without national identification cards would be assisted to acquire them ahead of the exercise.
The campaign’s expansion to Kisumu mirrors similar efforts in Nairobi, where youth-led civic groups have been organising registration drives, online awareness campaigns and community outreach forums under the same banner.
In the capital, the movement has drawn attention for its non-partisan stance, with organisers maintaining that its primary focus is voter empowerment rather than political mobilisation.
Youth leader Mbaka Joseph emphasised the need to safeguard the initiative’s neutrality as it gains traction.
“As young people in Kisumu, we are joining the rest of the country in promoting this initiative. We do not want this movement hijacked by politicians. This time, leaders will be elected based on their scorecards,” he said.
Speakers at the forum also underscored the need for inclusivity, particularly increased participation of women in electoral processes.
Youth representative Maxi Daniel urged women to register in large numbers, citing experiences of marginalisation and vulnerability during political demonstrations.
“These are some of the reasons why we need women to come out and register as voters so that their voices can be heard,” she said.
The initiative is targeting at least 1,000 new voter registrations in Kisumu during the upcoming exercise.
Campaign coordinator Linda Ogweno called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to deploy adequate resources to support the process.
“We are calling upon relevant authorities, including security agencies, to ensure the process is smooth and secure. We are no longer going to sit on the bench—we are taking the frontline,” she said.
The Tuko Kadi initiative comes at a time when questions around youth participation in governance and electoral accountability continue to dominate national discourse.
By shifting focus to the ballot, organisers say the campaign seeks to convert civic energy into electoral influence, ensuring that the country’s largest demographic bloc plays a decisive role in shaping leadership in 2027.
By Owen Yimbo
