The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has taken voter registration and education services to Turkana County by participating in this year’s Tobong’u Lore Cultural Festival, an annual international event that draws more than 100,000 visitors and over 500 exhibitors from across the East African Community.
The festival, running from December 15 to 18, 2025, was officially opened on Monday by President William Ruto and has brought together communities from Kenya and the wider region to celebrate cultural heritage, peace and unity through music, dance, art and exhibitions.
IEBC said it is using the four-day gathering to reach residents across Turkana’s six constituencies with voter education and continuous voter registration services. These include new voter registration, transfer of polling stations and updates of voter particulars.
“By coming to community spaces such as Tobong’u Lore, we are able to meet citizens where they are, provide accurate electoral information and address concerns directly,” the commission said in a statement, adding that the approach is aimed at improving awareness and participation ahead of future elections.
At the IEBC exhibition stand, members of the public are engaging with electoral officials, asking questions about the registration process and receiving guidance on their rights and responsibilities as voters. The commission has also encouraged residents to give feedback on electoral services and to rely on verified information to counter misinformation.
Tobong’u Lore has increasingly become a platform not just for cultural exchange but also for civic engagement, with national and county institutions using the festival to interact with citizens in an open and accessible environment. Organisers say the festival’s emphasis on peace and social cohesion aligns with broader efforts to strengthen democratic participation, especially in historically marginalised regions.
IEBC’s presence in Turkana comes as the commission intensifies nationwide voter education under the continuous voter registration programme, with a focus on young voters and communities in remote areas. The commission has urged eligible Kenyans to take advantage of such outreach initiatives to register and update their details.
The festival continues through Thursday, with cultural showcases, exhibitions and public forums expected to attract large crowds from across the county and beyond.
