Why young people are reluctant to register as voters

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati addressed the press in Naivasha, Nakuru county on January 7, 2022. He said the second round of voter registration will start from January 17 to February 6. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Last week, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced the second and final phase of the enhanced continuous voter registration that will run from January 17 to February 6. During the first phase, the commission noted that the youth didn’t turn up in the numbers it expected, because, as one of the commissioners put it, they don’t believe the elections will change their lives in any significant way.

Perhaps what the commission should have endeavoured to find out is why the youth have developed this kind of consciousness. I might not have all the answers, but, as someone who falls in that constituency, I can help the commission understand why most youth aren’t willing to register as voters.