IEBC sets target of registering 4 million new voters but process could be delayed in Kiambu

KIAMBU, Kenya, Sep 7 – Back in August the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during an elaborate media sector consultative meeting in Mombasa announced that plans were fully on course for the country to hold free and fair elections.

With the commission now fully constituted, it is all systems go amidst a massive voter registration exercise in October with the commission targeting at least 4 million new voters.

Though IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati said that a budget deficit of Sh14 Billion lies between it and a successful election, the treasury has allocated Sh26.3 billion for the exercise which might not be adequate as a result forcing the number of days set aside for the registration drive to possibly be reduced to 15 days from the initial 30 days.

IEBC had anticipated the number of registered voters would rise to 25 million.

In Kiambu County, the electoral body has set a target of registering at least 100, 000 new voters though the exercise could face certain challenges. For instance, the exercise might not take place in  Gatundu North and Kiambaa constituencies over pending petitions disputing the outcome of previous elections.

“Our clerks will be out there across all the 60 wards starting October 5 to November 5, 2021, there will be no voter registration in Gatundu North and Kiambaa constituency because they have petitions. Immediately the petitions are done away with, residents will be given the same days to register as voters,” said Tabitha Waitherero, election coordinator, Kiambu Town Constituency.

In Gatundu North former legislator Clement Waibara has contested the incumbent, Anne Wanjiku Kibe’s victory claiming that she did not qualify to vie for the parliamentary position as she did not resign as a nominated Member of County Assembly.

The petition has been before the corridors of justice since 2017.

In Kiambaa, George Thata Ndia in a petition has challenged the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate John Njuguna’s victory.

Ndia said that the by-election was marred with electoral malpractices and irregularities.

Kiambu County has over one million registered voters according to IEBC across the 12 constituencies.

“We will go round in churches, markets and mosques to try and capture those not registered as voters to vote,” she said.

During the media sector consultative meeting, IEBC revealed that in a bid to promote transparency in the results management process, accredited media houses will be granted access to polling stations and tallying centers to cover the vote counting, announcement, collation, and declaration of results during the 2022 polls.