Young voters at a university dialogue in Kisumu were urged to reject political violence, goonism, and online abuse ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The National Gender and Equality Commission’s (NGEC) Kisumu Regional Office joined stakeholders at the University-Based Digital Democracy Dialogue, held under the theme “Promoting Issue-Based Political Engagement, Digital Democracy and Support for Women’s Leadership among Young Voters Ahead of the 2027 General Elections”.
AN OPEN ONLINE SPACE
Speaking on “Young Voices, Inclusive Leadership: Advancing Gender Equality and Digital Democracy Ahead of 2027”, the Commission’s Kisumu Regional Head, Mr Davis Ochieng’, said online spaces must be open to young people, women and persons with disabilities.
They should be able to follow civic information, join political conversations and take part in decision-making without facing discrimination, intimidation or technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), he said.
POLICIES OVER IDENTITY
The youth were urged to put policies ahead of divisive identities and to shun hate speech and misinformation.
Universities, government institutions and civil society were asked to help young people exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and to support women’s leadership and the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The dialogue forms part of the Commission’s mandate to promote equality and freedom from discrimination, and to ensure that women, youth and persons with disabilities take part safely in Kenya’s political life.
