In a society where civic literacy remains low and political apathy is high, Mzalendo was created as a bold, accessible tool to educate, empower, and engage. Built as a mobile-based question-and-answer game, Mzalendo isn’t just about testing knowledge, it’s about learning through play and strengthening our collective understanding of how governance, rights, and responsibilities shape everyday life in Kenya.
Designed with interactivity at its core, the game takes players through a wide range of civic topics, from the structure of government and the Constitution, to electoral processes, budgeting, devolution, and human rights. Whether you’re a student, voter, activist, or just a curious citizen, Mzalendo helps you make sense of the systems meant to serve you.
How the Game Works
Mzalendo operates on a quiz-based format, where users are presented with multiple-choice questions across various categories related to Kenyan civic life. But it’s more than just a right-or-wrong format. When a player selects an incorrect answer, the game provides a detailed explanation, transforming failure into a moment of learning. This feedback mechanism ensures that every interaction, whether you win or miss, builds toward deeper knowledge.
As players progress, they unlock different levels of civic understanding, mimicking the real-life journey from passive observer to active participant in the democratic process.
Why It Matters
In Kenya, civic education is often treated as an afterthought, something for elections or emergencies. Yet active citizenship requires more than voting every five years. It involves daily engagement with governance, demanding transparency, protecting public resources, and holding elected officials accountable.
Many people don’t know their rights, the roles of different arms of government, or how policies are made and implemented. This gap enables corruption, weakens public participation, and leaves many vulnerable to manipulation, especially during election seasons.
Mzalendo addresses this gap by encouraging users to learn about their civic duties, which include:
Key Features
Civic Tech for the People
Mzalendo is part of a growing movement to demystify civic processes and put knowledge back into the hands of citizens. It acknowledges that democracy doesn’t function on votes alone, it thrives on an informed and active public that understands how power works and insists on justice, inclusion, and transparency.
By making civic education fun, digestible, and accessible, Mzalendo invites users to not just learn the rules of the game, but to question them, challenge them, and ultimately shape them.
