The newly appointed Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Erastus Ethekon, has made a bold call to the youth, influencers, bloggers, and civil society groups as he seeks to ensure that every Kenyan is involved in the democratic process of voting. The chairperson spoke in Mombasa County on Wednesday, where he had joined fellow IEBC Commissioners for an engaging conversation on the Commission's outreach strategy ahead of the next electoral cycle. While the meeting brought together a diverse blend of stakeholders, including media personalities, civil society leaders, and digital influencers, the growing presence and involvement of Gen Z in leadership matters was at the centre of discussion. According to Ethekon, the discussion involved strategising how to get every Kenyan meaningfully engaged in our democracy, from the pre-election phase to the post-election stage.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon during a meeting at the electoral agency offices on July 30, 2025.
Photo IEBC The chairman challenged the influencers and bloggers to use their platforms not just to sell products, but to build the nation. ''Let's shift from clickbait to truth-bait,'' Ethekon said to the influencers who enjoy a large following and presence on social media. He urged Gen Z to see themselves not just as future leaders but as current stakeholders whose voices matter now more than ever. "You're not just the future, you're the focus.
Your presence today shows you care, not just about the next election, but about the future of our country.
