Mombasa: More than 80 university and college students from the six Coast counties have joined electoral agencies and civil society leaders in Mombasa for a forum aimed at curbing political goonism, hate speech, and misinformation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to Kenya News Agency, the one-day conference, organised by the Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) under its RESTORE programme, brought together the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to engage youth leaders from institutions including the University of Nairobi, Pwani University, Technical University of Mombasa, and various TVET colleges.
HURIA Executive Director Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu highlighted the strategic timing of the forum, noting it was held days after a gazette notice declared the country officially in an election period running until August 2027. He expressed concern over the intensifying issue of political goonism, which threatens national stability.
Speaking on behalf of the NCIC, Deputy Director of Legal Services Kyalo Mwengi emphasized the commission’s commitment to combating hate speech. Following the 2007/2008 post-election violence, the NCIC has intensified its efforts through a newly formed multi-agency team to prevent hate speech and misinformation.
HURIA Senior Programmes Officer Antony Maganga stressed the importance of building resilience among young people to resist being drawn into harmful groups during the electoral season. He cautioned against the threats of misinformation and disinformation on social media, urging responsible consumption and sharing of information.
Youth participants echoed the need for accountability and increased involvement in electoral processes. Precious Ombele, a law student at the University of Nairobi’s Mombasa campus, advocated for young people to be recognized as rights holders today rather than future leaders.
Mohammed Jailani, outgoing chair of the university’s Student Association, expressed rejection of attempts by politicians to use youth as goons for political gain, urging his peers to remain peaceful and active in democratic processes.
Mwahanje Masoud Mangale, Secretary General of the Kaloleni Student Leaders Youth Network (KSYL) in Mombasa County, warned that normalizing goonism discourages youth participation in elections. He emphasized the need for effective security enforcement to promote youth involvement in the electoral process.
