“Gen Z, Your Vote is Your Voice” – Moiben Aspirant Rallies Youth as IEBC Resumes Voter Registration
By Gladys Yator, Nairobi,
As Kenya edges closer to the 2027 General Election, the country’s youngest voting bloc, Gen Z, is increasingly being called upon to step out of online activism and into the polling stations.
Leading that charge is Patrick Kiptoo Arap Chebotibin, popularly known as Dollar Mashinani, who has set his eyes on the Moiben parliamentary seat in Uasin Gishu County. His message to the youth is simple but urgent: register, vote, and be counted.
“Gen Zs have branded themselves as the demographic of change,” Chebotibin told locals during a weekend rally. “But change will not come from TikTok rants or Twitter hashtags. It will only come when you take that step to register and vote for leaders who reflect your values and aspirations.”
Beyond the Ballot, Hustler Fund and NYOTA Programs
Chebotibin’s rallying call goes beyond politics. He has also challenged young people to seize opportunities in government-backed programs such as the Hustler Fund and the National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement (NYOTA) initiative.
“These funds are not just slogans,” he emphasized. “They are real tools to uplift young entrepreneurs. Imagine what a group of determined Gen Zs can achieve if each of them taps into the KSh 50,000 startup financing to launch small businesses.”
According to him, economic empowerment and political participation go hand in hand. “If you strengthen your wallet, you strengthen your vote,” he added.
IEBC Rolls Out Voter Registration Drive
His sentiments come as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) resumes continuous voter registration starting Monday, September 29, 2025.
The electoral body is targeting to register at least 6.3 million new voters, with a strong focus on young Kenyans who have just turned 18, as well as citizens who missed out on previous registration drives or need to update their voter details.
“The ballot is the most powerful tool every Kenyan holds,” an IEBC official said. “Our goal is to ensure no eligible youth is left behind in shaping the country’s future.”
The Stakes for Gen Z
Analysts say Gen Z, many of whom will be voting for the first time in 2027, could tilt the balance of power if they turn out in large numbers. With their reputation as digital natives unafraid to voice dissent, the challenge remains whether they will translate their energy into civic action.
For Chebotibin, the answer lies in bridging the gap between social media influence and actual participation in Kenya’s democratic processes.
“Gen Z is bold, creative, and restless. But unless they channel that energy into the ballot, their frustrations will remain tweets lost in the algorithm. Real change begins at the polling booth,” he said.
