Low Turnout, Weather Woes and Insecurity Slow IEBC Voter Registration Efforts

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Acting Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Moses Sunkuli, OGW, has held consultative meetings with staff in Kisii and Homa Bay counties to review progress of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise and address operational challenges affecting its implementation.

The engagement focused on strengthening field operations and identifying barriers that have slowed down voter registration efforts in the two counties.

Staff on the ground presented several challenges affecting their daily work and the overall achievement of set targets.

Among the issues raised were uncollected national identity cards, which continue to prevent eligible citizens from successfully registering as voters.

The staff also pointed to adverse weather conditions, particularly heavy rainfall, which has disrupted movement and access to registration centres in some areas.

Voter apathy also emerged as a major concern. Officials reported reduced turnout in some regions despite ongoing awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging registration.

In addition, staff raised concerns about insecurity in certain parts of Kisii and Homa Bay counties, noting that it has disrupted operations and limited access to some communities.

Also Read: IEBC Reforms Ahead of 2027: Restoring Credibility or Redrawing Kenya’s Political Battleground?

Call for Stronger Inter-Agency Collaboration

During the meetings, Sunkuli urged staff to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders to improve efficiency in service delivery.

He emphasized closer coordination with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to enhance grassroots support and address logistical and security challenges affecting the exercise.

He also commended the field teams for their dedication despite the difficult working environment.

Sunkuli encouraged collective partnerships with other stakeholders, including National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).

Also Read: IEBC Warns of Rising Goonism and Growing Trust Deficit Ahead of Elections

Countdown to ECVR Deadline Intensifies Efforts

Meanwhile, IEBC continues to rely on field feedback to improve voter registration outcomes across the country. The commission maintains that addressing operational gaps at the county level remains key to achieving its targets.

The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise runs for 30 days and is scheduled to close on April 28, 2026. With only seven days remaining, IEBC has intensified mobilization efforts to reach unregistered voters and boost turnout before the deadline.

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