#TUKOKADI: Thika GenZs Decry Delays, Faulty Kits in Voter Registration Exercise

A section of GenZ youth in Thika has raised concerns over persistent delays in voter registration, pointing to a shortage of officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), faulty equipment and congestion at registration centres.

According to the youth, these challenges have resulted in long queues and significant disruptions to their daily routines. Many reported spending hours waiting to be served, while others left without successfully registering. They warned that such inefficiencies risk discouraging young people from participating in the electoral process ahead of the next General Election, an outcome that could undermine youth representation in national decision-making.

At one registration centre in Thika, the frustrations were evident. Youth leaders Magdalene Gathoni and Joseph Giathi said that despite mobilising large numbers of young people to register, the centre was being served by only one IEBC official. Giathi criticised what he termed as poor planning by the Commission, arguing that the high turnout should have been anticipated.

“A centre handling such numbers should have more than one officer and fully functional, modern equipment to ensure efficiency,” she said.

Their sentiments were echoed by Charles Wanyoike, who urged the Commission to urgently address staffing shortages and deploy reliable registration kits.

Florence Wangari, on her part, questioned restrictions that prevent some youths from registering at centres of their choice, saying such limitations only compound the existing challenges.

The group also expressed suspicion over the recurring issues, including faulty kits and limited personnel, suggesting the possibility, though unproven, that the inefficiencies could be deliberate, especially given the overwhelming interest among young people to register.

Kenya has one of the youngest populations globally, with youth making up a significant percentage of eligible voters. Historically, however, youth voter turnout has been inconsistent, often influenced by apathy, logistical challenges or lack of trust in institutions. The current frustrations, the Thika youth warned, risk reinforcing these barriers at a critical time.

Despite the setbacks, the young people remain resolute. They emphasised their determination to register and safeguard their democratic rights, urging their peers not to give up on the process.

“Every vote matters. It has the power to shape our future,” one of them noted.

They further linked their frustrations to broader socio-economic issues such as unemployment, rising cost of living, and strained healthcare systems—concerns they believe can only be addressed through active civic participation and accountable leadership.

In response, Thika IEBC Constituency Election Manager Michael Moses dismissed fears of deliberate obstruction, assuring the public that there was no cause for alarm. He attributed the delays to logistical constraints, noting that the office was currently operating with only one voter registration kit, while most junior officers were away on training ahead of the upcoming mass voter registration exercise.

Moses revealed that the Commission expects to deploy at least 15 kits across the five wards in Thika Constituency, covering both Thika East and Thika West sub-counties, once the exercise officially begins next week.

He called on residents, especially the youth, to turn out in large numbers and take advantage of the expanded capacity.

As anticipation builds for the mass registration drive, the situation in Thika highlights a familiar tension in Kenya’s electoral process: a highly motivated youth population eager to participate, meeting institutional challenges that risk slowing that momentum. Whether these hurdles will be resolved in time remains to be seen, but for now, the determination of Thika’s youth remains unshaken.