Sifuna Proposes State Award for Ademba For “Tuko Kadi”

A call to recognise grassroots civic action has sparked debate online after Edwin Sifuna urged the state to honour youth mobilisation efforts.

“Allan Ademba should be conferred with a Head of State Commendation (HSC) for his Tuko Kadi initiative, which has registered over 1 million young voters.”

Allan Ademba // Instagram

A youth-driven push for voter registration

The “Tuko Kadi” initiative, associated with Allan Ademba, has focused on encouraging first-time voters to register. Much of its reach has been through social media, where short videos and peer-to-peer messaging have amplified its message.

While official figures from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) vary by registration phase, youth turnout has historically lagged behind that of older voters. Campaigns like Tuko Kadi seek to bridge that gap by making the process more relatable.

Key context:

Kenya has millions of eligible but unregistered voters, many of them young people.
Digital campaigns are increasingly shaping civic participation.
Youth account for a significant share of the population.

Online reactions to Sifuna’s remarks

Sifuna’s statement quickly drew mixed reactions online, reflecting both support and scepticism.

Some users praised Ademba’s work:

“Ademba amefanya kazi safi for sure.”

“Exactly 😂😂😂...but Akina Itumbi will play politics with this...Ademba amefanya job poa...he made me go register coz of his passion 👏👏”

Others pointed to a broader generational shift:

“These Gen Zs are not joking 👏👏”

However, not all responses were celebratory, as some questioned national recognition priorities.

“But how is our Kenya… we are appreciating goonism, ask the board of Mama Lucy Hospital…”

ALSO READ: Gen Z Protests Kenya: Journalist Allan Ademba Breaks Silence After "Blood Parliament"

There were also political undertones in the reactions, with some users linking Sifuna’s statement to his public profile:

“Another reason why Sifuna should run for office is that his reasoning is unmatched.”

Who is Allan Ademba?

Allan Ademba is widely associated with the “Niko Kadi” or “Tuko Kadi” mobilisation drive, a youth-led effort encouraging voter registration.

Though not a traditional political figure, his influence has grown through consistent messaging and engagement with young audiences online.

Supporters credit him with translating civic duty into a movement that resonates with everyday youth experiences.

For some participants, the impact has been personal: “He made me go register coz of his passion.”

Calls for formal recognition

The discussion has also drawn in other political voices. Phelix Odiwuor, also known as Jalang’o, argued that Ademba’s work has already achieved what institutions spend heavily to accomplish.

“IEBC should pay Allan Ademba, who created the ‘Niko Kadi’ campaign, since the commission is set to spend millions on civic education, asking people to register as voters, yet the campaign has already accomplished that.”