A growing wave of youthful energy is sweeping across the country as hundreds turn up at Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices under the #NikoKadi and #TukoKadi campaign, signaling renewed interest in civic participation ahead of the upcoming voter registration exercise.
Despite chilly mornings and intermittent rains in Nairobi and other parts of the country, young Kenyans have been queuing in large numbers, eager to secure their voter cards. Reports indicate steady turnouts in key locations including Kibera, Anniversary Towers, Kasarani, Embakasi East, Chuka University and Mombasa, with queues ranging from dozens to hundreds.
The movement, largely driven by peer-to-peer mobilization, has seen the creation of dozens of WhatsApp groups coordinating efforts from constituency level down to villages. Organizers say the numbers are rising daily, reflecting a shift in youth attitudes toward political engagement.
This is the current situation in Kibra #TukoKadi pic.twitter.com/QkFGEhP4L7
— Ademba Allans (@Ademba_47) March 24, 2026
Over the weekend, media personality Willis Raburu took the campaign to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, rallying students to register as voters through his Wabebe XP initiative. His involvement underscores the growing influence of public figures in shaping civic awareness among young people.
Religious leaders are also lending their voices to the cause. Reverend Carolyn Kiarie of the ACK Thika Diocese has actively used her social platforms to encourage voter registration, blending faith with civic responsibility.
“Turn to your neighbor and ask them kama wako kadi,” the young clergy urged in a recent post. “It is so important for us even as we congregate in our churches to pray for our needs and the pain of the world… we cannot pray away bad leadership. Today we pray, and tomorrow we go to IEBC offices and register as voters.”
Meanwhile, the IEBC has announced it is laying the groundwork for the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise, set to begin on March 30, 2026, and run for 30 days. The commission is currently conducting a two-day nationwide training for Voter Registration Assistants and Constituency ICT Clerks to ensure a smooth rollout.
According to the IEBC, the training aims to equip personnel with the technical and operational skills needed to manage the registration process effectively. A second phase will involve training Voter Registration Clerks, who will oversee the exercise at the ward level.
