With just a smartphone in hand, the Kenyan youth have proved that they can easily crowdsource and send live updates, to mobilise change, especially in the political arena.  

Last year, what began as simple conversations online turned out to be a full-blown revolution that is still sending chills down the spines of many politicians.

The transformation of the political landscape since the days of the ‘Moi and Kibaki eras’ is starkly apparent. 

Back then, the electioneering period was dependent on traditional or low-technology methods that often involved simpler and manual processes right from the campaigns, to the voting and election announcement. 

In the Kenyan political scene, old technologies such as the print media, which majorly included newspapers, fliers, posters and billboards, were the main information tools used for campaigns.

These, alongside public rallies and face-to-face interactions often through door-to-door canvassing. Public rallies have since become modernised, with the invention of live streaming for television.

Today, with the internet age heavily influencing generations including Zillennials (late millennials), Gen Zs, and the Gen Alphas, the political landscape is experiencing a major revolution. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital media, and social media have emerged as the top three innovations that have rapidly influenced campaigns not only in Kenya but worldwide as well. 

Kenyan youth have not only turned to technology for communication, but they are also using it for mobilisation and influencing decisions, and AI is at the centre of it all. 

Misinformation, disinformation 

Lately, there have been thousands of AI -AI-generated deep fakes of politicians expressing their opinions, leaving citizens misinformed and ultimately leading to misguided decisions. 

“While access to information remains the cornerstone of democratic governance, socioeconomic stability, and interstate relations, propagation of disinformation and misinformation continues to threaten these ideals,” observed Noordin Haji, National Intelligence Service (NIS), while speaking during the National Intelligence Research University symposium. 

The younger generation’s growing interest in sharing their political views openly has led to major changes. Thanks to today’s digital world, people have access to more information and resources than ever before, which has helped them develop and express a broader range of opinions and ideas.

The youth culture is shaped by technology and social media, providing a larger look at the world, and an exposition to various opinions, needs, desires, and philosophies. 

As a young person, communicating with government leaders effectively and being heard is no easy feat. 

With social media, the Gen Zs and Zillennials feel they can gather in masses and convey their message without being physically hurt. 

A section of the youth claim they prefer using social media for activism because it is much safer, as they can protest or relay information without putting themselves at risk. 

“While activism in person has been riddled with challenges such as shoot-to-kill orders, abductions and getting arrested for showing up in the streets, social media activism allows all youth all over the country to voice their opinions and fight for what is right,” says Miriam Murugi, a 22-year-old student. 

She adds that social media is extremely effective as it allows them to convey their message not only through speeches or texts, but also through songs, memes, short dramas, and animations that can also be understood by both the older and younger generations. 

The young student further emphasises that so far, online protests have had a positive effect on spreading awareness. 

“We not only get to engage with people who are interested in politics and activism, but we also get to educate those who lack knowledge in such areas. People are becoming more aware of what’s going on and how it impacts their lives,” notes the student. 

According to Howard Aholi, 24, social media has made activism easily accessible than ever. The platform provides a free and accessible space for individuals to express their opinions and engage with leaders. 

“Anyone who has an internet-enabled gadget, whether a phone or a computer, can easily get access to online platforms. This is why trending hashtags against the government go viral because the Gen Zs are digital. When it comes to engaging with leaders, we flock to their comment sections to let them know what we think about their governance,” states Aholi. 

Ultimately, social media has removed geographical constraints, allowing the Gen Z to gather, demonstrate online, and reach a larger audience. 

The digital media, which includes social media, messaging apps, and online forums, has also emerged as a tool to not only inform but also enhance the right to assemble and express digital rights. 

Platforms like X, where people hold public forums (like Space), and TikTok and Instagram (through viral hashtags) have proved crucial in organising online rallies and campaigns. 

As digital tools continue to evolve, politicians are aligning themselves with this revolution by hiring influential liaison officers and engaging in digital campaigns because it is one of the most effective strategies and also an opportunistic way. 

As such, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is aligning itself with the emerging technologies to ensure they are seamlessly integrated into the electoral process. 

According to Michael Ouma, director of information, communication and technology, there is a need for this integration because, despite new media and AI offering opportunities, they still present challenges that must be proactively addressed to strengthen the electoral system. 

According to the Deputy Commission Secretary – Support Services, Obadiah Keitany, MBS, said it was important to continuously improve technology in elections. 

“In the 2022 General Election, IEBC successfully leveraged electoral technology to transmit the presidential election results. However, the Commission must use this opportunity to refine its systems and strive to serve Kenyans better in the future,” he said.