Nakuru Gen Zs driving ‘Niko Kadi’ campaign through TikTok Lives
Young people turn up to register as voters at IEBC following TikTok live sessions asking the to come and register as voters
The growing use of TikTok Live is emerging as a powerful tool in mobilising young people in Nakuru to register as voters under the ongoing “Niko Kadi” campaign, with digital engagement now taking center stage in youth-led civic action.
Angela Wamaitha Kioko, a Gen Z political aspirant and founder of Ignite Kenya, is among youth leaders leveraging the platform to push civic engagement among young people, particularly university students who dominate TikTok spaces.
Speaking after a series of online and on-ground mobilisation efforts, Kioko says the initiative is driven by the need to amplify the campaign in Nakuru, where momentum appears slower compared to Nairobi.
“We tapped into the national campaign but realised Nakuru had minimal activity. The time was limited, but we began mobilisation from Saturday and used TikTok Lives to engage young people ahead of Tuesday’s registration push,” she says.
Angela Wamaitha Kioko,alias Gen Z politician and founder of Ignite Kenya speaks on using TikTok lives to call for voter registration in Nakuru
The team hosts multiple TikTok Live sessions, attracting viewers through the platform’s “For You Page,” (FYP) although engagement levels vary.
“Many join the Lives, but not all engage as expected. It raises questions, are they already registered or just indifferent?” she poses.
Through the Live sessions, Kioko directly interacts with viewers, urging them to register and questioning their participation, turning TikTok into both a mobilisation and feedback platform.
On the ground, the team visits Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registration centres while maintaining their online presence. Some young people who turn up cite TikTok Lives and the “Niko Kadi” campaign as their motivation, while others say they lack time or clear information on the process.
Wamaitha notes that beyond apathy, gaps in awareness and logistical challenges remain significant barriers.
“We meet young people working within government offices who have never registered. Some don’t know how to participate or where to start. Others face technical issues like incomplete biometric data, forcing them to travel back to their home counties,” she explains.
Despite the challenges, the campaign records an estimated more than 20 new registrations, an outcome she describes as modest but encouraging.
She also highlights inefficiencies at registration centres, including long processing times and limited staffing, with some applicants waiting for long on the cue.
“Such delays can discourage young people. We need to understand these bottlenecks and work with institutions to improve the experience,” she says.
TikTok, she emphasises, remains central to their strategy, especially through interactive formats like Live sessions and challenges that resonate with youth culture.
“Lives are a game changer. That’s where young people are,engaging, interacting, and influencing each other,” she notes.
Wamaitha adds that collaborating with other opinion leaders and content creators across constituencies will widen reach and impact. She notes different people have the know-how of different places to register across the 11 sub counties in Nakuru and that's why collaboration is becoming a powerful empowerment tool to Nakuru residents.
“The more voices we have, the stronger the message. We will definitely be doing this again. This is not about individuals, it is about getting as many young people as possible to register and participate in governance,” she says.
She also calls on youth to remain vigilant against political hijacking of the campaign’s message.
“‘Niko Kadi’ is not just a slogan, it is a commitment. Young people must understand its meaning and take intentional action. You must stay true to the course, register, and be there at the ballot box,” she adds.