IEBC targets 6.3 million new voters ahead of 2027 polls

By Chemtai Kirui, NAIROBI,

 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set out to register 6.3 million new voters before the 2027 General Election, a drive expected to push the country’s electorate past 28 million, the highest on record.

 

 

The commission said the exercise will begin on September 29 under its Continuous Voter Registration framework, open to those who have turned 18, first-time registrants, and citizens seeking to update or transfer their details.

IEBC Chairperson Dr. Erastus Edung Ethekon urged election officers to prepare thoroughly, saying the drive indicates that registration remains a key foundation of democratic participation.

 

 

Ahead of the rollout, the commission is mapping registration centres across all counties, including remote areas, to make the process more accessible. It is also training staff to manage the exercise, testing and configuring the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits, and engaging stakeholders at constituency level while using geospatial data to guide resource allocation.

 

 

To qualify, a person must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid national ID card or passport, and not be registered elsewhere.

 

 

According to IEBC, citizens convicted of election offences in periods defined by law will also be ineligible.

 

 

Services offered during the drive are expected to include new registrations, corrections, transfers, and checking current registration status

 

 

If achieved, the expanded voter roll will mark a significant milestone, particularly for younger citizens who have historically been under-represented in past elections.

 

 

The outcome will also test IEBC’s ability to deliver a credible and inclusive registration process ahead of a high-stakes 2027 vote.