By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 17 June 2026 - With barely a year before Kenya's political machinery shifts into campaign mode, the government has launched an early offensive against one of the country's perennial election threats — the mobilisation of unemployed youth for political violence.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday, County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo urged young people to reject being used as political foot soldiers and instead register as voters, describing the ballot rather than the stone as the most powerful tool for influencing leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The remarks came during a political parties engagement forum that brought together youth representatives from across the Nyanza region, signalling an early push by state agencies to promote peaceful political participation before campaign temperatures rise.
"We are laying the groundwork and starting a dialogue that will continue as we move towards the 2027 elections. Young people must participate in elections and leadership, not be used for violence," Mwabudzo said.
His message reflected growing concern within government that Kenya's election cycle has repeatedly been defined by politicians exploiting unemployed youth to settle political rivalries, often leaving communities divided long after leaders reconcile.
Mwabudzo noted that political competition was healthy in any democracy but warned it should never degenerate into destruction, intimidation or bloodshed.
"Those politicians who sometimes use the youth for political battles sit together, have tea and remain friends. The youth should also learn to engage in politics without fighting one another," he said.
He challenged young people to consider who ultimately bears the cost of election violence, arguing that ordinary citizens frequently pay the highest price while political leaders quickly resume their relationships after polls.
The forum also highlighted another challenge facing Kenya's democracy — low voter registration among young people despite thousands already possessing national identity cards.
Nyanza Regional Coordinator for the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, Ezekiel Obonyo, said the country's electoral future would largely be determined by how actively young people participate in democratic processes.
"Without the youth, there will be no campaigns and there will be no crowds. That is why we want them to act responsibly and remain a force in shaping the leadership of this country," Obonyo said.
He said authorities were determined to overturn the long-standing perception that election periods in parts of Nyanza are synonymous with unrest and confrontation.
"We want the youth of Kisumu and the entire Nyanza region to become role models in peaceful political participation and demonstrate that politics can be conducted without violence," he said.
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Obonyo revealed that government agencies were working with electoral stakeholders to increase voter registration among eligible young people, saying civic education and access to identification documents remained central to improving electoral participation before 2027.
He warned that security agencies would firmly deal with individuals involved in organising or financing politically motivated violence.
"The economy cannot thrive without security. We want Kisumu to remain safe for businesses, workers and residents, and we will not tolerate criminal activities disguised as politics," he said.
For many analysts, the government's early engagement reflects lessons drawn from previous elections, where youthful populations have often been viewed both as the engine of democratic participation and the most vulnerable targets for political manipulation.
The forum also gave young participants an opportunity to redefine their role in the country's political future.
"You don't raise your voice, you raise your point. Young people must register as voters, seek civic education and understand how political processes work before demanding change," said Victoria Blessing, a youth leader from Kisumu West Constituency.
Michael Obare from Kisumu Central echoed the call, urging fellow youths to register as voters and use the ballot to influence the country's direction.
"I encourage every young person who has not registered as a voter to do so and use that opportunity to make a positive change in our country," he said.
As Kenya edges closer to another fiercely contested election cycle, the contest for the youth vote has already begun. But alongside the battle for ballots is another struggle — ensuring that the country's largest voting bloc becomes an agent of democratic change rather than a casualty of political competition.
Battle for Gen Z Begins as State Pushes Youth to Choose Ballots Over Political Violence
Leaders urge the Kenyan youth to act responsibly and remain a force in shaping the leadership of the country.