The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is reviewing how it communicates with young Kenyans ahead of the 2027 General Election as social media increasingly shapes political discussions.
The commission on Tuesday held a workshop on youth engagement and digital communication with support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).
The meeting brought together IEBC officials, staff and partners to examine research and develop practical ways of engaging young people ahead of the elections.
Opening the workshop, Acting Commission Secretary and CEO Ruth Kulundu said the changing information environment required IEBC to rethink how it reaches young voters.
“Youth engagement can no longer be approached as a conventional information and communication exercise,” Kulundu said.
IEBC said Kenyans aged between 18 and 34 account for about 29 per cent of the country’s population and are among the most digitally connected groups.
The commission noted that social media has become a major source of information for young people, influencing how they form opinions, participate in public debate and interact with institutions.
The focus on digital communication comes as IEBC prepares for the 2027 polls, with misinformation, disinformation and hate speech remaining key concerns in Kenya’s electoral process.
IEBC and IFES previously partnered to monitor online hate speech during the 2022 General Election using an artificial intelligence powered tool capable of tracking content in English, Kiswahili and Sheng.
The latest engagement signals an effort to ensure young voters can access accurate and timely electoral information through the platforms they use most.
IEBC has also been engaging young innovators on the use of emerging technology in the electoral process as it prepares for the next General Election.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the commission faces the task of reaching a digitally connected generation while addressing the growing threat of false and misleading information online.
