The United Kingdom (UK) has passed legislation lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 to boost democracy ahead of the country’s 2029 general election.
The UK’s move has sparked a global debate: should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?
The Conversation asked political researchers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria for their views on such a proposal for African countries.
Prof. John Mukum Mbaku, a Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics and a John S. Hinckley Fellow at Weber State University, stated that young Kenyans are underrepresented in politics and feel powerless to participate in shaping policies that will likely impact their future.
He explained that the Constitution prohibits Kenyans under 18 years of age from holding public office.
Additionally, he said the minors are also excluded from leadership roles in political parties.
Yet, the case for extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds is strong. For one thing, they represent the next generation of Kenya’s leaders.
Why Kenya Should Lower Voting Age
Prof. Mbaku stated that the minimum age for employment in Kenya is 16, enabling young Kenyans to legally engage in paid work and pay taxes.
On the contrary, he said that young Kenyans are not allowed to exercise their basic right to participate in their governing process through casting a vote.
He said the group cannot elect the people they want to represent them and their interests since fundamental rights are limited to adult citizens.
As a scholar whose research interests include public choice, constitutional political economy, and institutional reforms in Africa, Mbaku has advocated for Kenya to lower the voting age to 16.
He explained that expanding the right to vote would play a critical role in shaping public opinion, holding politicians accountable, and, most importantly, positively transforming the country’s political and economic systems.
Granting Kenyan citizens aged 16 and 17 the right to vote is important for achieving a more inclusive, participatory and responsive democratic system.
Also Read: IEBC Addresses Reports of Reverting to ID-Based Voting Only in 2027
U.S Research Results
He cited research in the United States that has determined that “voting from a young age leads to high political participation throughout life”.
Prof. Mbaku said that securing the right to vote at a young age can increase “initiatives to be more informed and active in local, national, and state-wide politics”.
“US researchers have observed that allowing young people to vote can significantly increase turnout during electoral exercises, strengthen democracy, and build a more equitable and just society,” Prof Mbaku said.
He said granting Kenyan citizens aged 16 to 17 the right to vote would, in the long run, foster a more inclusive and accountable democratic system.
Mbaku emphasized that voters, including young ones, can improve executive accountability by denying votes for re-election to those who underperform, promote opportunistic policies, or fail to keep their campaign promises.
Some commentators who oppose lowering the voting age to 16 years have argued that young people should be involved in their own lives, not politics. However, given the extent to which political decisions in Kenya and other African countries affect their lives, I believe young people should be allowed to participate in making those decisions.
Also Read: Tyranny of Numbers: Distribution of 22,102,532 Million Voters in Kenya [FULL LIST]
IEBC Registration Process and Requirements
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has a well-defined process for registering as a voter in Kenya.
To register, one must be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 years and above with a National ID or a Valid Passport.
- An eligible voter must present himself or herself to the registration officer with his/her original identification documents at the designated registration centre during working hours.
- The applicant fills the Application for Registration form (Form A)
- Registered voters will be issued with a registration acknowledgement slip bearing the voter′s details.
- However, this slip will not be a requirement for voting.
When IEBC Can Block One from Registering
IEBC can stop from registering as a voter under the following circumstances
-
- When you are under 18 years of age.
- When you are not in possession of the original ID card or a valid Kenyan passport.
- When one is an undischarged bankrupt.
- When you have been found guilty by an election court or reported to be guilty of any election offence during the preceding five years.
- If a competent court declares you to be of unsound mind.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
