Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called on young Kenyans to urgently register as voters, warning that their participation will determine the country’s future in a pivotal upcoming election.

Speaking in Kisumu on Friday, April 24, 2026, during a visit to Dunga Hill Camp, the United Green Movement (UGM) Party leader expressed concern over the low turnout in the ongoing voter registration exercise, particularly among youth.

“Young Kenyans, you are 75 per cent of the population. This country belongs to you more than it belongs to those of us in older generations. It is critical that you come out and register to shape the future of your country,” Maraga said.

2027 polls

He described the next general election as a defining moment, cautioning that failure to participate could perpetuate poor governance and policies that neglect the needs of young people.

“We either get it right or continue getting it wrong,” he said.

He also warned against leadership that is not mindful at all about the welfare of the youths, as well as using the platform to condemn the exploitation of unemployed youth by politicians, accusing some leaders of using small cash handouts to incite violence.

“Any leader who uses youth as tools of violence is not able to argue their case. That is something we must reject as a country. We are too great a nation to resort to such actions,” he said.

Uncollected IDs

The UGM leader further raised concerns over uncollected national identity cards, noting that thousands of eligible voters risk being locked out of the electoral process.

He criticised proposals to channel the distribution of IDs through Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that such moves could be abused for political gain and voter suppression.

“An MP can win by just one vote. Controlling ID distribution can easily be manipulated to deny certain groups their democratic right,” he cautioned.

Maraga was accompanied by UGM co-party leader Augostinho Neto, who said the party’s nationwide “Ukatiba Caravan” had reached Kisumu as part of a broader effort to mobilise voter registration and promote its policy agenda.

“We are on county 41 since launching this initiative in February, and we have six more counties to go,” Neto said.

The leaders toured an innovation hub at Dunga Hill Camp, where local youth are recycling waste materials into useful products.

The project, led by a UGM member, transforms plastic waste and discarded textiles into items such as cushions, flooring, and wall materials.

Maraga praised the initiative as a model for sustainable development, saying it aligns with the party’s vision of linking environmental conservation with job creation.

“This is the kind of innovation we want to see across the country, cleaning our environment while creating income for our people,” he said.

UGM co-secretary general Kato Wambua highlighted the broader environmental and economic potential of such initiatives, particularly around Lake Victoria, which he said has been heavily affected by pollution.

“As a green political party, we see waste not just as a challenge but as an opportunity to create meaningful jobs. Through recycling and upcycling, young people can earn a living while restoring the environment,” he said.

He added that the party’s manifesto focuses on five key pillars: youth unemployment, the economy, environmental sustainability, rule of law, and social justice.

The UGM leaders reiterated their appeal to Kisumu residents, especially young people, to collect their national IDs and register as voters before the deadline, emphasising that active civic participation remains the most effective way to influence Kenya’s future.