Safeguarding Democracy Through Tech By Billy Mijungu In Kenya’s fast-evolving democratic space, a new force is emerging: Generation Z. These digital natives are rewriting the rules of civic engagement. Frustrated by opaque electoral processes and driven by the need for transparency, young Kenyans are stepping up to build tools that protect and strengthen democracy through technology. At the center of this shift is the development of digital systems that independently capture, verify, and analyze election results in real time. These innovations focus on data from Form 34A—the official document filled at each polling station that records presidential votes. Once an image or scan of the form is uploaded, advanced tools such as artificial intelligence and optical character recognition (OCR) extract the vote counts. The system then automatically compiles this data into Forms 34B and 34C, which are used to tally constituency and national results. Simultaneously, the system cross-checks its findings against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) portal to highlight any discrepancies instantly. What makes this movement particularly powerful is its scalability and inclusivity. The same systems being used to monitor presidential elections are being adapted to track results across all elective seats Governors, senators, women representatives, members of the national assembly, and members of county assemblies. The vision is clear: a grassroots-led, tech-enabled, transparent electoral process in which every vote is counted accurately and in full view of the public. This innovation is not happening in boardrooms or foreign-funded programs. It is emerging from local tech hubs, university labs, and youth-led initiatives. These young developers and civic technologists are not driven by profit but by purpose. Many are crowd-sourcing resources and collaborating in open-source communities to ensure the systems remain free, transparent, and trustworthy. Their efforts address a long-standing challenge in Kenya’s democratic journey. Past elections have been marred by allegations of fraud, delayed results, and legal disputes. These issues have eroded public trust in electoral institutions and, in some cases, led to unrest. By giving citizens tools to verify results independently, this new wave of civic technology restores confidence and shifts the power dynamics placing oversight into the hands of the people. In keeping up with people-centric elections, Kenyans are likely to go further building open, accessible databases that safeguard the integrity of public service and the individuals entrusted with it. These databases could track public officeholders' performance, ethical records, promises made versus delivered, and even financial disclosures. This kind of transparency ensures that elected leaders remain accountable beyond election day and throughout their time in office. More than just safeguarding the vote, these efforts have broader implications. A democracy protected at the ballot box translates into a more accountable public service. When leaders know their legitimacy is rooted in an indisputable mandate, they are more likely to focus on service delivery, development, and policy grounded in public interest. Kenya is witnessing a digital awakening. Generation Z is no longer content to be passive observers of democracy. They are actively shaping it, using technology as both shield and spotlight. With each line of code and every verified result, they are strengthening the democratic foundation of the nation. In this new era, safeguarding democracy means empowering citizens. It means ensuring that every vote counts and is counted truthfully. And most importantly, it means building a future where public service is guided by integrity, enabled by technology, and driven by the will of the people. Follow the unfolding narrative on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn @BillyMijungu #forward #tusongembele