Gen Z are using social media to transform Kenya's democracy

The landscape of our democracy is experiencing profound transformation. Citizens are progressively seeking a more active role in influencing government decisions, leveraging the extraordinary power of social media to discuss pressing issues, exchange information about politicians’ actions and votes, and mobilise around common purposes.

These platforms amplified democracy in the information age, encouraging governments to listen to individual voices more than any other generation before. Social media has democratised information, making it accessible to a wider audience, thus leveling the playing field and leading to a more informed electorate.

Teledemocracy, also known as digital democracy, is a modernisation that uses digital tools like smartphones, laptops and the power of the internet to facilitate direct engagement between citizens and the highest levels of the government and their leaders. In Kenya, digital democracy can enhance our democratic spaces and institutions such as Parliament and the Executive by empowering citizens to actively participate in policy formulation and governance processes.

This marks a significant departure from the traditional model of representative democracy, where an individual represents a large constituency, often leaving behind the minority without parliamentary representation in the context of the majority rules. This revolution of democracy promotes a more inclusive and participatory form of governance, ensuring that a wider range of voices are heard and considered in the decision-making process.

The influence of social media has empowered the public, providing people with the means to monitor and hold politicians accountable. Through digital democracy, Gen Zs directly exerted their influence and ensured their voices were not only heard, but also taken into consideration to address their concerns. Such active engagement promotes a culture of accountability and transparency in the government. 

Public scrutiny applied through social media platforms serves as a powerful incentive for politicians to act more ethically and responsibly in handling public interest in the future. For instance, the president’s innovative use of X-space to engage young people was a demonstration of promoting transparency, and accountability and encouraging active participation of the citizens in shaping how future decisions should made in Kenya. This represents a step towards direct democracy as cherished in our constitution, where citizens can exercise their democratic rights directly or indirectly through their elected representatives. 

Online discussions ensure a wide spectrum of voices is heard, ensuring all perspectives in the decision-making process are taken into account. Furthermore, it enables the collective intelligence of the general public to be harnessed to solve complex problems in the society. Such real-time feedback facilitates more agile and adaptive governance, where policies can be swiftly adjusted in response to public opinion and emerging issues

In the digital space, participants operate in a leaderless, fearless, and tribeless manner, facilitating increased civic engagement and holding public officials accountable, fostering a culture characterised by integrity and servant leadership. The integration of digital democracy into Kenya’s democratic process is a significant advancement in the country’s democratic growth. 

The younger generation, particularly Generation Z, are tech-savvy and are more involved on social media platforms, hence their active participation in digital democracy is crucial for the future of our democratic growth. These demographics are not only skillful at using technology but also value transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The Gen Zs, by engaging with political leaders through digital platforms, bring fresh perspectives and innovativeness to the idea of modern democracy. Such engagement ensures that the political process remains relevant and adaptive to the changing needs and ambitions of the younger generation.

For digital democracy to be effective, it is essential to address the digital divide and ensure that all citizens have access to the necessary technology and digital literacy skills. The government must invest in infrastructure and educational programs that promote digital literacy across all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds thus ensuring the benefits of digital democracy are enjoyed by all citizens. 

Mr Mohamed is an Internal Auditor