Over 7,000 new voters registered as IEBC rolls out iris scan technology

In a statement, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon explained that the figures indicated progressive growth in the exercise as the Commission seeks to rally more Kenyans into the exercise. 

Nairobi County recorded the highest number of new voters with 1,597 followed by Mombasa (556), Kiambu (386), and Kisii (312). 

"IEBC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensuring that voter registration services remain accessible, inclusive, transparent, and efficient in all parts of the country save for the areas scheduled for the November 27, 2025 By-elections," the statement read in part. 

"The Commission further underscores its constitutional duty to guarantee that every eligible Kenyan has a fair and equal opportunity to register as a voter and to exercise their democratic right to participate in free, fair, and credible elections." 

Further, IEBC introduced iris scans feature to complement the existing biometric identifiers comprising fingerprints and facial photographs. 

The move, Ethekon said, is aimed at enhancing the accuracy and reliability of voter identification during elections.

“The iris provides an alternative means of voter identification should fingerprint recognition fail. Its inclusion is expressly permissible under the Elections Act, and reinforces our commitment to credible, inclusive, and transparent elections."

The use of iris biometrics aligns with the law, which allows for various biometric identifiers, including hand and earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, and signatures.

Ethekon emphasized that all voter data, including the newly captured iris information, will be handled in strict compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019.

Access to voter information will be limited to authorized personnel, and any breach or misuse of data will attract legal sanctions.

He added that the Commission is intensifying civic awareness efforts to ensure that voter registration remains accessible, inclusive, and efficient. 

IEBC, which relaunched the voter exercise on September 29, 2025, has targetted 6.3 million new voters during the registration drive.