In Kenya, for one to participate in an election, they must be over 18 years of age and have an identity card, the primary identification document for an adult. Kenyan law requires the IEBC to conduct continuous voter registration for Kenyans who reach the age of majority. This is however not the case as the commission perennially complains of limited resources and a lack of motivation for potential voters to enlist.
According to the country’s 2019 census report, there are over 27 million Kenyans above the age of majority. In 2017, there were 19.6 million voters in the electoral register, but with population growth and changing age structure, Kenya now has at least 14.7 million youth aged between 18-35. This accounts for 52% of the adult population, all of whom ought to be enlisted.
A conversation has emerged in Kenya over the potential of young voters, especially first-timers, to tilt
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