The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has reminded Kenyans that voter registration is still ongoing across the country, even as it prepares to roll out a nationwide exercise aimed at increasing the number of registered voters.
In a statement issued after participating in the Peoples Dialogue Festival in Nairobi, the commission thanked citizens who visited its stand to register as voters and engage with officials on electoral matters.
“It’s a wrap at the Peoples Dialogue Festival! Thank you to everyone who turned up to register and interacted with us at our stand,” the commission said.
The electoral agency urged eligible Kenyans who have not yet registered to visit constituency offices where Continuous Voter Registration is still ongoing.
IEBC also announced that it will begin the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on March 30, 2026. The exercise will run for 30 days and will be conducted at the ward level across the country.
The commission said the expanded registration drive is aimed at making the process more accessible to citizens, especially young people who have recently turned 18 and are eligible to vote for the first time.
The planned exercise comes as the electoral body works to strengthen the country’s voter register following the highly contested 2022 Kenyan general election.
During the election, William Ruto was declared president after defeating opposition leader Raila Odinga in a closely fought race that was later upheld by the Supreme Court of Kenya.
However, the election exposed deep divisions within the electoral commission after four commissioners rejected the presidential results announced by then chairman Wafula Chebukati, raising concerns about the credibility and unity of the commission.
Since then, the IEBC has faced leadership gaps following the end of the terms of several commissioners, even as pressure mounts for reforms ahead of the next general election in 2027.
Election observers have repeatedly called for continuous voter registration to ensure that the voters’ roll reflects the country’s changing demographics, particularly the growing number of young voters.
Kenya’s population is largely youthful, with thousands of citizens turning 18 every year and becoming eligible to participate in elections.
The ward-level voter registration exercise is therefore expected to bring services closer to communities, particularly in remote areas where access to constituency offices may be limited.
IEBC has urged Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing and upcoming registration opportunities, noting that participation in elections begins with being registered as a voter.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has urged Kenyans to continue registering as voters, saying the exercise remains open at constituency offices across the country.
The commission issued the reminder after concluding its participation at the Peoples Dialogue Festival in Nairobi, where officials interacted with citizens and registered new voters at its stand.
“It’s a wrap at the Peoples Dialogue Festival! Thank you to everyone who turned up to register and interacted with us at our stand,” the commission said in a statement.
IEBC said Continuous Voter Registration is still ongoing at constituency offices and encouraged eligible citizens who have not yet signed up to do so.
The electoral body also announced that it will launch the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on March 30, 2026. The exercise will run for 30 days and will be conducted at the ward level across the country.
According to the commission, the ward-level exercise is meant to bring registration services closer to the people, especially in areas where citizens may find it difficult to travel to constituency offices.
The drive is also expected to target young Kenyans who have recently attained the age of 18 and are eligible to vote for the first time.
Voter registration remains a critical process in Kenya’s electoral system, as only registered voters are allowed to participate in elections.
The push comes as the electoral agency continues efforts to rebuild confidence in the country’s electoral processes following the disputed 2022 Kenyan general election.
During the election, William Ruto was declared president after defeating opposition leader Raila Odinga in a closely contested race that was later upheld by the Supreme Court of Kenya.
However, the announcement of the presidential results exposed deep divisions within the electoral commission after four commissioners rejected the outcome announced by then chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
The fallout sparked intense political debate and raised questions about the credibility and unity of the electoral body.
Since then, the commission has also faced leadership gaps after the terms of several commissioners ended, leaving the institution under pressure to strengthen electoral systems ahead of the next polls.
Kenya is expected to hold its next general election in 2027, and election experts say expanding the voters’ register will be critical to ensuring broad participation in the democratic process.
IEBC has urged Kenyans to take advantage of the ongoing registration and the upcoming month-long exercise to ensure their names are included in the national voters’ roll.
