The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says more than 1.37 million Kenyans have registered as new voters in the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise, in what is shaping up to be one of the most active civic participation drives ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a progress update released on Thursday, the commission said the exercise, which began on March 30, 2026, had recorded 1,370,930 new voters by April 16 — a jump of 495,429 registrations within a single week.
The surge, IEBC said, has been driven largely by first-time voters, particularly young people, signalling what the commission described as renewed public confidence in the democratic process.
“From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the remote reaches of Kwale, the message is clear: Kenya is ready,” the commission said in its statement.
It added that the increase reflects growing civic awareness and participation, with some elderly citizens also turning out to register, alongside first-time voters coming of age ahead of the next polls.
The commission also reported 92,602 voter transfers and 1,969 updates of voter details during the same period.
The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise is set to run until April 28, after which the IEBC will revert to constituency-based registration. The commission has urged eligible Kenyans to take advantage of the remaining window, warning that access to registration services may become more limited after the exercise ends.
“All kits are open to register Kenyans to their preferred electoral areas. You do not have to travel home to register as a voter,” the commission said.
IEBC also framed voter registration as a civic responsibility ahead of what it described as a defining election in 2027, urging citizens not only to register but to participate actively in shaping electoral outcomes.
“The 2027 General Election will be a defining moment for our republic,” the commission said. “Strengthening democracy is a shared national obligation, and voter registration is a critical first step.”
The commission has also encouraged registered voters to verify their details through its online portal as part of efforts to enhance the integrity of the voter register.
The voter registration push comes amid heightened political activity across the country, with parties stepping up mobilisation campaigns targeting young and first-time voters expected to play a decisive role in the next election.
