Google Kenya has launched an election portal for voters, journalists and campaigners to track news and information related to the March polls
The portal, www.google.co.ke/elections, will function as a hub of aggregated content from local and international media about the leading presidential candidates and issues raised in political campaigns.
Google said that the Internet was increasingly playing an important role in transforming the way that citizens participate and engage in the elections across Africa, as was seen in last year’s elections in Senegal and Ghana.
During the launch of the portal in Nairobi, Google Kenya’s country manager Joseph Mucheru said that the hub will enable all interested parties in the election to access information on the process online.
He added, “Information online will be key to how the elections will be conducted. We want to give more information access to voters, the media and aspirants through online tools.”
The Google policy and government relations manager for sub-Saharan Africa, Ory Okolloh said that with the numerous constitutional changes, including the new boundaries, new elective seats and a new voter registration, the online hub will keep Kenyans informed on the elective process.
“We are empowering voters so that they are not simply watching from afar, but are participating in, engaging with and shaping the political process in a democratic way,” Okolloh explained.
