Presidential hopeful and Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah Okoiti has placed the youth at the centre of Kenya’s democratic renewal, urging them to seize the chance to register as voters and shape the 2027 polls.
In an appeal shared on his X account on Monday, September 29, 2025, Omtatah told Kenyans that registering is the first real step to change: “Voter registration is the power of change in your hands. Which Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) office are you visiting today to register as a voter? Let’s turn our voices into votes and our dreams into action. The future is in your hands, claim it.”
His message landed just as the IEBC rolled out its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) programme. The exercise, which takes place in all constituency offices except those with by-elections, allows citizens to sign up, update details, or transfer to new polling stations.
For Omtatah, the issue is bigger than numbers—it is about dismantling politics of tribe and anchoring campaigns on justice and constitutionalism. Earlier this month, he reminded Kenyans: “My campaign isn’t about tribes. It’s about truth, justice & constitutionalism.”
But he isn’t alone in pressing the youth to take charge. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, while he was addressing a rally in Kajiado on September 28, promised to support transport costs for young people willing to register. His message was clear: the coming election could hinge on whether the youth show up.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga and Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) have also thrown their weight behind the registration drive, describing it as a gateway to holding leaders accountable and tackling bread-and-butter issues like jobs and the economy.
Even former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the middle class and Kenyans abroad not to sit out the process, noting that credible participation begins long before election day.
Still, the shadow of mistrust lingers. A recent TIFA survey revealed that only 18 percent of Kenyans have confidence in the IEBC, a figure that underscores the urgent need for transparency. Political leaders now face a dual task: not just mobilising people to register, but convincing them that their vote will count.
As the registration desks open, the spotlight is firmly on the youth—seen by all camps as the deciding bloc for 2027. The question is whether they will answer the call and turn their numbers into real political power.
