A section of Gen Z youth in Thika has raised concerns over ongoing delays in voter registration, blaming staff shortages, faulty equipment and congestion at registration centres.
The youth say the challenges have resulted in long queues, forcing many to spend hours waiting to be served, while others leave without completing the process. They warn that the situation could discourage young people from participating in the electoral process ahead of the next General Election.
Speaking at a voter registration centre in Thika, the youth, led by Joseph Giathi and Florence Wangari, criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for what they termed as poor planning. They pointed out that despite mobilising large numbers of young people to register, the centre was being served by only one IEBC officer.
Giathi noted that the high turnout of youth required more personnel and improved equipment to ensure efficiency. He argued that relying on a single official was slowing down the process and inconveniencing many who had sacrificed their time to register.
The group also raised concerns over restrictions that prevent some youths from registering at centres of their choice, saying this further complicates the exercise. They urged the Commission to urgently deploy more staff and provide reliable registration kits to ease the congestion.
Some of the youth expressed suspicion that the delays and technical challenges, including faulty kits, could be deliberate, especially given the high interest among young people seeking to register.
Despite the frustrations, the youth maintained that they are determined to participate in the process. They called on their peers not to ignore voter registration, emphasising that every vote plays a critical role in shaping the country’s future.
They also linked their concerns to broader issues affecting young people, including unemployment and access to healthcare, blaming leadership for failing to adequately address their needs.
However, IEBC officials have dismissed fears of a crisis. Thika constituency election manager Michael Moses attributed the delays to logistical challenges, noting that the office is currently operating with only one voter registration kit. He explained that most junior officers are undergoing training ahead of the upcoming mass voter registration exercise.
Moses assured residents that the situation will improve, revealing that the Commission expects to deploy 15 registration kits across the five wards in Thika Constituency. He urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers once the exercise officially begins next week.
