Students from Kenyan universities, with the help of Google, today launched election apps ahead of the March 4th elections in a move seen to use technology to promote a free and fair election process and promote governance.
The apps developed with aid from Google include Tukumbuke (Swahili meaning let us remember), Spotlight, Jijulishe (inform yourself in Swahili), Wenyenchi (the owners of the country), Opinion Yetu, Haki II (justice) and Rasirimali (resources).
The apps were developed under Civic Education; Party and Politicians; Lifestyle; Resource Monitoring; and the Electoral process themes.
Ory Okolloh, Google Africa Manager Policy and Government Relations explained “Google has been very active in promoting access to relevant information; access to information is especially important in the electoral process. Through the Elections hub, the YouTube channel, Shabikika Amani na Kura Yako (Sports4peace campaign) and supporting these students to create tools for engagement with this information, we hope to reach as many Kenyans as possible.”
The Apps were developed at the Elections DevFest themed “Software Solutions for Elections”, an interactive 3- day event by Strathmore University’s iLab and sponsored by Google in partnership with IEBC and various Civil Society organizations.
Mercy Orangi, whose team developed Jijulishe pointed out that their aim is to provide civic education about the electoral process to every Kenyan, especially because most people don’t have the urge to go through the whole constitution;She added that it is pretty much breaking down the constitution,”