The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stepped up efforts to boost youth participation in elections by partnering with a Coast-based human rights organisation to expand voter education and civic engagement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The electoral agency on Tuesday held talks with Human Rights Agenda (HURIA), with both sides agreeing to explore collaboration aimed at empowering young people to take a more active role in Kenya's democratic processes.
The meeting was led by IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdalla, who welcomed HURIA's initiative to work with the Commission in promoting civic education, inclusion and voter registration among young people.
She said young people have a critical role in shaping Kenya's democratic future and should be equipped with accurate information to enable them to participate meaningfully in elections.
"The Commission is committed to strengthening collaboration with HURIA to enhance voter education initiatives at the grassroots, ensuring that young people and all eligible Kenyans receive accurate and timely information to enable them make informed electoral decisions," the IEBC said in a statement after the meeting.
Ms Abdalla reiterated that voting is a constitutional right guaranteed to every Kenyan and noted that voter education remains one of the Commission's core constitutional responsibilities.
The discussions focused on identifying areas where the Commission and the civil society organisation can work together to complement the IEBC's constitutional mandate, particularly in reaching young people with civic and electoral information.
Focus on youth
The partnership comes as the Commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election, with increasing attention on the country's youthful population, which accounts for the majority of eligible voters but has historically recorded lower voter registration and turnout than expected.
In recent years, concerns have grown over declining trust in public institutions among young Kenyans, alongside rising political disengagement and election-related misinformation spread through digital platforms.
The IEBC has increasingly relied on partnerships with civil society organisations, religious groups and community-based organisations to broaden voter education beyond conventional campaigns and encourage informed participation in elections.
Five-year programme
HURIA is preparing to roll out a five-year initiative dubbed "Rebuilding the Youth–State Social Contract as a Foundation for Enduring Security, Stability and Democratic Resilience at the Coast."
The programme seeks to rebuild trust between young people and public institutions through a human rights-based approach that promotes civic participation while addressing the root causes of mistrust, exclusion, insecurity and violence affecting youth in the Coast region.
The organisation hopes the programme will strengthen democratic resilience by creating more opportunities for young people to engage with public institutions and participate in governance.
Background
Under Article 88 of the Constitution, the IEBC is mandated to conduct continuous voter education, register voters and promote public awareness of electoral processes.
The Commission has in recent months renewed stakeholder engagement as part of wider preparations for the 2027 General Election, including consultations with political parties, civil society organisations and development partners.
The latest collaboration with HURIA reflects the Commission's growing recognition that improving voter turnout will require sustained grassroots civic education, particularly among first-time voters and young Kenyans who will play a decisive role in the next General Election.
Election experts have consistently argued that sustained voter education is essential to combating misinformation, strengthening electoral integrity and ensuring citizens understand not only how to vote, but also why participation remains central to Kenya's constitutional democracy.
