The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged young people to take a more active role in Kenya’s electoral and democratic processes as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather pace.
IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdallah made the call during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected officials of the Mombasa Youth Assembly at the Kenya School of Government, Mombasa Campus.
Ms Abdallah, who was the chief guest, challenged the new youth leaders to use their positions to represent the interests of young people and promote participation in public affairs.
She said young people should not allow their age to limit their ambitions, urging them to seek leadership positions at every level.
“Nothing is stopping anyone of you here from becoming the next Vice Chairperson or taking up any other leadership position,” she told the youth.
The remarks come at a time when the IEBC is seeking to increase youth participation in elections, including voter registration, civic education and efforts to address voter apathy.
Ms Abdallah said the Commission was ready to work with youth organisations to encourage more young people to register as voters and participate in elections.
She said youth inclusion was central to the Commission’s Strategic Plan, which is anchored on “Inclusion and Participation in Delivering Democracy in Kenya.”
The Vice Chairperson said the IEBC would work with the Mombasa Youth Assembly to strengthen civic and voter education among young people in the county.
The new youth officials are expected to provide a platform through which young people can raise issues affecting them and participate in discussions on the governance of Mombasa.
Ms Abdallah urged them to approach their new responsibilities with confidence, integrity and a commitment to serving their communities.
“Young people should not be intimidated or afraid to seek leadership positions,” she said, emphasising that age should not be a barrier to political and public leadership.
Her message comes as political parties and politicians begin laying the groundwork for the 2027 election, when young voters are expected to form a significant part of the electorate.
The IEBC has previously identified youth participation and voter registration as important areas in strengthening Kenya’s electoral process.
But the Commission is also facing another challenge — the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly through social media.
Ms Abdallah warned the youth against sharing unverified information, saying false claims could undermine confidence in elections and democratic institutions.
She urged young people to verify information before sharing it and to reject content that could mislead voters.
“Fake news poses a significant threat to electoral processes,” she said, warning that misinformation could affect public confidence in elections.
The warning is particularly relevant to young voters, who are among the most active users of social media platforms and are increasingly exposed to political information online.
The IEBC Vice Chairperson urged the new Mombasa Youth Assembly officials to promote integrity and responsible use of social media as they engage young people across the county.
She said youth leaders had a responsibility to help create an informed electorate rather than allowing false information to shape political choices.
The Commission's engagement with the Mombasa Youth Assembly also highlights its efforts to take voter and civic education beyond traditional political structures and into youth-led organisations.
