Low turnout in parts of Kenya as IEBC voter registration kicks off

There was a low turnout in several parts of the country as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) kicked off mass voter registration on Tuesday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise was launched on Monday in Kajiado County as the commission targets to register 6.3 million new voters and help voters wishing to transfer their registration details to different polling stations.

As of Tuesday mid-morning in Marsabit County, a small number of new voters have been registered, as not many residents turned up for the exercise.

The county’s IEBC Returning Officer, Simon Sanchan Lokadio, told Citizen Digital that the total number of voters in Marsabit has risen by 47,976, with Moyale constituency leading in new registrations.

The number of voters in Marsabit County last year stood at 166,912, and that figure has now increased to a total of 214,508.

“The turnout is quite low, but in Moyale, the numbers are higher. I encourage people to turn up and register as voters early, instead of waiting until the last minute of the exercise,” Mr Lokadio said.

Meanwhile, in Embu County, the elections manager, Agnes Mutisya, also pointed out a low turnout.

She noted that voter registration in three constituencies across the county continues until 2027, but said residents of Mbeere North will, however, only be registered after the upcoming by-election in the area.

IEBC last conducted voter registration in 2022, then it was stopped in June ahead of the August polls. 

In the new registration drive, Kenyans 18 years of age and those not previously registered as voters are required to present their original national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport to register at constituency IEBC offices and all Huduma Centres countrywide.