Gen Z Without Votes Will Ensure Kenya Retains Traditional Voting Blocs - Havi

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has voiced serious concerns that Kenya risks retaining its traditional voting blocs in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s Daybreak segment with Sam Gituku, Mr Havi stressed that this outcome is likely unless the youthful population, particularly Gen Zs, turns out to register as voters.

Warning on Traditional Blocs

Mr Havi argued that the lack of participation by young Kenyans maintains the political status quo.

He pointed out that politicians who complain about current leadership must talk to the people and ensure those not registered as voters actually register.

Havi noted that if the current condition of low registration prevails, the country will retain the influence of traditional voter blocks.

This outcome would mean the 2027 contest would essentially remain between President William Samoei Ruto and Kalonzo Musyoka.

“I'm afraid to say if this condition prevails then we will retain the traditional voter blocks and that is the reason why William Samuel Ruto may be confident, because unless there is an injection of the 6.2 million into the voter basket, then we'll maintain the status quo. It will be between Ruto and Kalonzo,” he said.

The former LSK President acknowledged that Gen Zs have been formidable in the recent past.

READ ALSO: IEBC Launches Voter Registration Drive Targeting 6.3 Million New Voters

He highlighted their successful protests that led to the shelving of the Finance Bill. They have also prominently called for government accountability regarding expenditure, abductions, and extrajudicial killings.

However, Havi warned that these powerful "lamentations will continue being lame unless you go to the place where IEBC is registering".

He strongly encouraged young people to register to assert their right to change the government.

IEBC Targets and Low Turnout

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) initiated a substantial drive to register new voters. This push involves the resumption of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

The IEBC is aiming to enlist 6.3 million new eligible voters. This registration effort was announced on September 29, 2025. The CVR exercise acts as a crucial preparatory step ahead of forthcoming by-elections and the eventual 2027 General Election.

The IEBC has a specific focus on the youth vote. A significant portion of the target is young people, with 70 per cent of the 6.3 million new voters expected to be Gen Zs.

Despite this high target and the drive being underway for nearly a month, registration numbers remain critically low.

“Nairobi City tops the list with 4,804 new registrations and 1,105 transfers, followed by Mombasa with 1,379 new voters and 481 transfers, and Kiambu registering 1,203 new voters and 282 transfers,” the IEBC said.

Other counties with low registration include Tharaka Nithi (70), Samburu (67), and Elgeyo Marakwet (75).