Church leaders warn politicians to keep off 'Niko Kadi' voter registration drive

This comes as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announces an enhanced voter registration programme, which will see voter registration moved to universities and wards to enlist an additional 2.5 million new voters.

As the youth-driven initiative dubbed Niko Kadi gathers momentum, religious leaders claim there is a plot by certain politicians to hijack the ongoing Gen Z-led programme, which is being used by young people to mobilize their peers to register as voters. They have called on the political class to keep off.

"In 2022 Gen Z did not register and vote. This is your time. Niko Kadi is key," Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui, General Secretary, NCCK, stated. 

Religious leaders have urged young people to continue with the initiative and not allow politicians to interfere.

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, who attended the youth forum, also encouraged the youth to register and participate in defining the country’s political destiny come 2027.

"This is a Gen Z program, but some leaders are trying to force themselves to be part of it. They want to take over it. I want to tell them Kenya youths will not accept that," Nyoro noted. 

With 17 months remaining before the next presidential election, the IEBC is targeting to register more than 2.5 million voters through the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) beginning Monday, March 30.

IEBC stated that for the first time, voter registration services will be taken to the grassroots in every area, including universities and other higher learning institutions across the country, Huduma Centres, IEBC offices, and various registration points in every ward.

The commission has already hired 10,780 officials to conduct the exercise. It also has 5,390 kits that will be used nationwide to register voters. Each ward will receive three kits, while universities and higher learning institutions have been allocated 145 kits.

The registration will, however, not take place in constituencies expecting by-elections or those with court cases challenging previous election results.