By Janet Nyamwamu
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that over 300,000 new voters have registered as the country begins a nationwide mass voter registration exercise that will run until April 28, 2026.
This exercise, which officially started yesterday, is part of the Commission’s broader plan to improve voter participation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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During an electoral preparedness meeting organized by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), IEBC officials noted that the registration drive has seen strong interest, especially from young people.
The Commission emphasized that youth involvement in the ongoing exercise is encouraging and highlights the importance of civic engagement in strengthening Kenya’s democracy.
The meeting, arranged by the Parliament of Kenya, included key stakeholders such as the Judiciary, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, and the Witness Protection Agency to evaluate readiness for the 2027 elections. I
IEBC also said that Members of Parliament are actively helping to boost voter registration efforts within their constituencies, which greatly increases outreach and public awareness.
At the same time, the Commission expressed concern about the rising threat of misinformation and disinformation.
It warned that false narratives could damage the credibility of the electoral process. They assured stakeholders that steps are being taken to combat the spread of misleading information.
The electoral body praised JLAC for helping with its timely reconstitution and making sure it has enough resources.
They noted that this has improved its readiness to operate. Reflecting on past elections, IEBC indicated that by-elections since 2022 have generally gone well.
However, it raised concerns that no major electoral reforms were made before the 2022 General Election, particularly in campaign financing.
The Commission identified results management as a continuing challenge in Kenya’s elections, often leading to disputes.
It pointed out that candidates who feel they may lose sometimes try to disrupt the process.
To tackle this, IEBC urged JLAC to support establishing clear legal timelines for announcing election results, particularly presidential results, to enhance transparency and public trust.
In addition, the Commission requested the creation of laws to prevent electoral violence and thuggery, which it says remain threats to peaceful elections.
IEBC also expressed worries over frequent lawsuits regarding its decisions, including procurement processes, which often delay important timelines.
It suggested putting in place statutory limits on how long election-related cases can last, similar to the strict timelines for election petitions.
