As the 2027 General Election approaches, a new political battleground has emerged involving politicians and youth who are determined to make their voices count in Kenya’s next leadership.

With over 70 percent of Kenya’s population under 35 years old, politicians are racing to win over young voters, who are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the country’s next government.

In rallies, policy forums, and online platforms, politicians from across the spectrum are aligning themselves with young voters – a demographic that has traditionally been underrepresented at the ballot box but whose political influence is growing stronger.

Meanwhile, many young people themselves are planning to run for elective positions, hoping to capitalise on growing public sentiment against politicians who have dominated the political landscape for years.

The 2027 polls are expected to be high-stakes elections due to the interest shown by youth and their evident discontent with the current political class.

Both established politicians and emerging young leaders will compete for support from more than 10 million youth who will be eligible to vote in 2027. As of 2022, youth constituted 39.8 percent of registered voters, totaling 8.8 million.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics estimates that in 2024, the country had 5,670,020 youth aged between 15 and 19. By the time the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission reopens the voter register, most of these young people will be eligible to receive voter cards in preparation for the 2027 elections.

According to Prof Frank Matanga of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, any contender for political office must create a strategic campaign model that will convince youth to move beyond the familiar pattern of unattainable promises.

“The youth have the numbers that matter, but convincing them to actually vote is the challenge. Whoever implements an effective strategy for youth mobilisation will succeed, which may include financially supporting their projects,” Matanga said.

Youth candidates

However, he ruled out the possibility of a youthful presidential candidate in 2027. He emphasised that any politician seeking the presidency must support youth candidates running for other elective positions – whether as members of county assembly, members of the National Assembly, or senators – so these young candidates can campaign among their peers.

“It’s a question of mobilising and convincing them through civic education that their vote will count because they have the numbers,” Matanga stressed.

“Their voice begins to matter from the moment they register. Campaign manifestos should include strategies that address issues important to youth.”

King’ori Wanjohi, who plans to run for Nyeri senator in 2027, said he is urging youth in his county to register as voters once the IEBC begins the process.

The 32-year-old aspirant warned young people against voter apathy, noting that avoiding participation in electoral processes will result in poor leadership.

“Young people must walk the talk. They must register as voters and then complete the process by voting for leaders who have demonstrated willingness to transform their lives,” Wanjohi said.

“It’s important that we stop recycling political leaders who have served their terms.” He cited his ambition to provide irrigation water to Nyeri’s driest constituency, Kieni, that would create jobs for young people, as he works with the incoming President to supply agricultural produce to government institutions.

“Our past political leaders have marginalised Kieni, a very agricultural and productive region in Nyeri,” he said.

“If irrigation water flows into our farms, the area could supply food to approximately 7,000 recruits admitted to Kiganjo Police Training College each year.”

Wanjohi’s sentiments were echoed by Inject Party leader Morara Kebaso, who accused opposition leaders of underperforming and engaging in malpractices while serving in high-ranking government positions.

“This is unity without vision, unity without purpose. Let all young leaders come together and chart a new path for Kenya,” he wrote, captioning a photo of opposition leaders shared on his X account.

“I am ready to collaborate with progressive leaders who lack experience in theft. We will not recycle the problem to solve the problem.”

The photo had been shared by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after meeting with opposition leaders Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, Mukhisa Kituyi, Mithika Linturi, Justin Muturi, and Saitoti Torome.

Gachagua wrote: “The team to liberate Kenya grows bigger every day. Welcome, Dr. Fred Matiangi, Hon. JB Muturi, and Hon. Mithika Linturi. You are on the right side of history.”

In response, an irritated Morara asked: “Is this what GenZs died for? Is this the future we wanted?”

Political parties

Previously, Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu challenged youth to actively participate in forming political parties to ensure their interests are incorporated into party constitutions.

Nderitu criticised youth for declaring themselves “partyless” during last year’s Gen Z protests, warning that such a stance would prevent them from holding accountable the political parties that form government since they are not members.

She advised youth attending this year’s People Dialogue Festival at Uhuru Park in Nairobi that they could form their own political party aligned with their ideologies, requiring just three people to start.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has been courting youth support for his 2027 presidential bid, has warned young people against being enticed to vote for irresponsible leaders who rely on tokenism and vote buying to gain power.

“People serving in government steal huge sums of money, and when election time comes, they bribe everybody,” he said.

“Gen Z, I invite you to approach the next election with a different perspective. “