Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for a state commendation to be awarded to a young civic activist he says has played a key role in mobilising youth to register as voters through the Tuko Kadi initiative.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, Sifuna singled out Allan Ademba, a social media-driven organiser, for what he described as an exceptional contribution to civic education and voter registration, particularly among young people.
The senator said Ademba’s efforts had led to the registration of more than a million new voters within a short period, achieved largely through grassroots mobilisation and digital platforms.
“As a leader of a political party myself, we have run multiple registration drives in previous elections, and we know just how difficult it is,” Sifuna said.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend the young people of this country who have decided that they are going to run this registration drive themselves.”
He emphasised that if there was ever a person in this country who deserves a state commendation, it is that young man who has mobilised the Tuko Kadi movement.
Sifuna argued that the scale and impact of the initiative warranted formal recognition, noting that the activist and his team had delivered results comparable to, or exceeding, those of well-funded institutions.
“What Ademba has been able to achieve in terms of registration of over a million young people in a very short space, I think even some of these titles that some of us have should be given to people like him because of the civic education he is doing,” he said.
He pointed out that the mobilisation had been carried out with significantly fewer resources compared to those allocated to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which is mandated to oversee voter registration.
Sifuna also appeared to draw comparisons with past state recognitions, suggesting that similar or greater achievements should not go unnoticed.
The senator’s remarks came during a broader discussion on voter registration, where he also raised concerns about the conduct and communication of the electoral commission.
He criticised the IEBC, led by chairperson Erastus Ethekon, for what he termed as poor communication during the ongoing mass voter registration exercise.
“There was a lot of confusion when they told us about people who registered prior to 2012. We need them to communicate with clarity,” Sifuna said.
He further urged the relevant Senate committee to investigate reports of alleged irregularities, including claims of foreigners being registered as voters in border regions.
The Tuko Kadi campaign has gained traction in recent months, particularly among Gen Z voters, with organisers using social media and on-the-ground engagements to encourage registration, transfer of polling stations and greater participation in electoral processes.
Sifuna’s proposal now places the spotlight on the role of citizen-led initiatives in shaping electoral participation, even as questions persist over the efficiency and transparency of official voter registration efforts.
If adopted, the call for a state honour would mark a rare recognition of grassroots digital mobilisation in Kenya’s political landscape, signalling a shift in how civic contributions, especially by young people, are acknowledged.
