Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) opened voter registration at the tail end of last month, and the exercise is running through the rest of October with temporary jobs paying up to KES 2,500 per day at stake. But despite the noise, hashtags, and protests that made Gen Z look like the most politically awakened generation yet, reports suggest they’re not exactly rushing to register in big numbers. Which perhaps explains why one Apple reseller has decided to sweeten the deal.
iPhone Street Kenya, or as most people call it, iStreet Kenya, is offering a KES 3,000 discount on any iPhone to newly registered Gen Z voters. The company announced the offer in a post on social media.
The shop, located at Pioneer House, Ground Floor, Shop 12, Kenyatta Avenue, is a popular stop for Apple fans in Nairobi. But this time, it’s not just about tech. It’s about civic responsibility with a dash of capitalism.
The catch (if you can even call it that)
While iStreet Kenya supports online purchases through its website istreet.co.ke, this particular deal isn’t one you can snag from your couch. You’ll need to physically visit the store to show proof of voter registration so the staff can verify your details.
It makes sense, and it’s a clever way to ensure only actual new voters benefit, while also drawing more traffic to the shop.
After a year of nationwide and online protests led largely by Gen Z Kenyans demanding accountability, this offer hits at the heart of the voter registration. It’s one thing to shout on social media, and it’s another to show up at the IEBC desk and get your name on the roll. And if a KES 3,000 discount on a new iPhone 15 helps you do that, why not?
This move by iStreet Kenya shows how private companies can tap into civic engagement moments, blending marketing with social responsibility. It’s a small but creative nudge that could genuinely motivate young Kenyans to take voter registration seriously.
So, if you’ve been thinking of upgrading your iPhone and haven’t registered as a voter yet, this might just be the perfect excuse to do both.
