NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan photojournalist and civic activist Allans Ademba has been honoured with the Katiba Roll of Honour for his contribution to civic education, youth mobilisation and advocacy for the values of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Ademba received the recognition during the Youth Congress’ Katiba@16 award ceremony held at Alliance Française in Nairobi on August 28, 2026.
The award recognised his work using journalism and civic mobilisation to encourage young Kenyans to participate actively in democratic processes.
“Today, I am being recognized for speaking up. The journey hasn’t been easy. I have had my accounts blocked, been arrested, intimidated, and had my gadgets confiscated. There were attempts to silence my voice and discredit the work I do,” he shared.
Following the recognition, Ademba dedicated the milestone to young Kenyans and reaffirmed his commitment to civic advocacy.
“And today, having helped mobilize 2.9 million new voters, I am reminded that when young people organize around an idea, that idea can become a movement. Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta. The struggle continues, and victory is certain,”
Ademba has become particularly prominent through #TukoKadi, a youth-led voter-registration campaign that sought to address voter apathy and encourage young Kenyans to register ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Tuko Kadi campaign became one of Ademba’s most visible civic initiatives. The campaign encouraged young Kenyans to obtain voter registration cards and participate in the electoral process rather than remain spectators in national politics.
Through digital platforms and grassroots mobilisation, the campaign pushed voter registration among young people across the country. Reports credited the initiative with helping mobilise more than one million young Kenyans to register as voters.
The campaign also sought to challenge the perception that political participation begins and ends on Election Day. Instead, Ademba and other campaigners encouraged young people to take part in the democratic process by registering, understanding their constitutional rights and making informed decisions about their leadership.
His efforts subsequently attracted attention from political leaders and civic groups. Ademba’s mobilisation work had previously received praise from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who called for the activist to receive a state commendation.
Sifuna singled out Ademba while speaking about the growing youth participation in voter registration.
He said:
“If there was ever a person in this country who deserves a state commendation, it is that young man who has mobilised the Tuko Kadi movement.”
Sifuna also praised young Kenyans for taking responsibility for the voter-registration campaign rather than waiting for political parties or politicians to mobilise them.
Before becoming closely associated with Tuko Kadi, Ademba established himself as a photojournalist, documenting important events in Kenya. His photography gained significant attention during the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, when young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose the Finance Bill.
Through his camera, Ademba documented events surrounding the demonstrations and the experiences of young protesters. His work subsequently helped bring international attention to the youth movement and the issues that drove it.
His transition from documenting civic action through photography to directly participating in civic mobilisation has become a defining feature of his public profile. Tuko Kadi gave him a platform to move beyond documenting political participation and actively encourage young people to take part in it.
A major argument behind Ademba’s voter-registration campaign was that young Kenyans should register where they actually live. Many young people move from their rural homes to cities and towns for education or employment but retain voter registration in their home constituencies.
Ademba argued that this can make it difficult for them to vote because travelling home on Election Day can be expensive or impractical. He therefore encouraged young people to register in the areas where they live and experience everyday government services.
The campaign linked voter participation to issues that directly affect young people, including employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.
The Katiba Roll of Honour recognition carries significance because it focuses on the promotion of Kenya’s constitutional values. Kenya adopted its current Constitution in 2010, ushering in a new framework for governance and expanding citizens’ rights and responsibilities.
Sixteen years later, the Katiba@16 event provided a platform to recognise individuals contributing to the continued implementation and understanding of the Constitution.
The activist has previously faced arrest in connection with his activism, including an incident that resulted in his release on cash bail.
Despite those experiences, he has continued advocating for youth participation in democratic processes.
