Why Many Kenyans Are Not Registering as Voters Ahead of 2027 Elections

A new survey by Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) has revealed that the lack of National Identity Cards (IDs) and other required documents is the leading reason many Kenyans remain unregistered as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The survey found that 37% of Kenyans who are not registered voters cited the absence of the required identification documents as the main barrier to registering.

TIFA Survey on Why Kenyans Aren’t Registering to Vote

According to TIFA, younger Kenyans are disproportionately affected by the lack of identification documents required for voter registration.

Among respondents aged 18 to 24 years, 50% said they were not registered because they did not have a National ID or other required documents, compared to only 11% of respondents aged 45 years and above who cited the same reason.

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Beyond documentation challenges, the TIFA indicated that practical and personal factors also discouraged voter registration.

However, while documentation remained the biggest challenge for younger Kenyans, older generations were more likely to point to time constraints.

Among respondents aged 45 years and above, 26% said they had not registered because they did not have time, compared to 18 % among those aged 18 to 24.

Similarly, 20% of respondents in the older age group cited a lack of interest in voting or politics, compared to the youngest respondents.

Other Reasons for Not Registering

TIFA Polls further identified several other factors that have prevented eligible Kenyans from registering as voters, although these were cited by few people.

These include:

• 7% – unaware of the voter registration exercise.
• 5%- experienced administrative challenges during the registration process.
• 4% – registration centres were too far away or inaccessible.
• 1% – cited a lack of faith in election results.

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However, 13% did not respond regarding their main reason for not registering.

List of Registered Voters For 2027 Elections

According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the following shows the number of registered voters per county as of July 2026.

1. Nairobi City – 2,743,155
2. Kiambu – 2,426,477
3. Nakuru – 1,965,036
4. Meru – 949,046
5. Kakamega – 948,567
6. Machakos – 784,702
7. Bungoma – 738,640
8. Kisii – 710,585
9. Mombasa – 707,526
10. Murang’a – 673,286
11. Kilifi – 661,141
12. Kisumu – 658,086
13. Homa Bay – 609,545
14. Kitui – 605,703
15. Siaya – 582,165
16. Uasin Gishu – 575,048
17. Nyeri – 531,778
18. Makueni – 529,993
19. Kajiado – 522,725
20. Migori – 519,116
21. Kericho – 482,408
22. Nandi – 461,262
23. Busia – 460,812
24. Narok – 448,160
25. Trans Nzoia – 444,766
26. Bomet – 424,660
27. Kirinyaga – 415,471
28. Nyandarua – 383,706
29. Kwale – 360,601
30. Embu – 360,078
31. Nyamira – 350,502
32. Vihiga – 339,538
33. Baringo – 319,865
34. Turkana – 298,336
35. Laikipia – 291,633
36. Tharaka-Nithi – 261,394
37. West Pokot – 261,080
38. Elgeyo Marakwet – 244,164
39. Mandera – 236,456
40. Wajir – 230,640
41. Garissa – 227,655
42. Taita Taveta – 208,072
43. Marsabit – 191,343
44. Tana River – 161,002
45. Samburu – 120,805
46. Isiolo – 100,533
47. Lamu – 91,604

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A photo of the survey showing reasons as to why people are not registering as voters. Photo/ TIFA