Race To Register 6 Million New Voters Kicks Off In Kenya

NAKURU, Kenya, Oct 4- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Monday launched a countrywide voter’s registration, with an ambitious target of 6 million new voters. The exercise, the electoral body said will last for 30 days.

The commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati urged Kenyans who are not registered as voters to turn out and participate in the exercise.

This is ahead of the August 2022 General Election. The registration drive was launched in Nakuru County.

“This exercise, which starts today, will run for a period of 30 days until 2nd November 2021 in all the 1,450 County Assembly wards,” the electoral body said.

The exercise targets to enroll 6 million new voters, who have attained 18 years and have acquired national identification cards or have valid passports or other citizens who were not registered in the previous drives.

“Voter Registration drive a key step in the roadmap to the 2022 General Election,” Chubukati said.

The exercise will be followed by cleaning the register before the Commission competitively procures an independent firm to audit the register, verify, and certified it for use in the 2022 election.

Chebukati said the exercise will be conducted in all the 1,450 County Assembly wards, except in Kiagu ward in Central Imenti , Nguu/Masumba ward in Kibwezi West and Mahoo ward in Taveta constituency.

This is because of a scheduled by-election in the three wards to be held on October 14 and December 16, 2021.

Speaking during the launch, Canada’s Ag. High Commissioner David Da Silva said IEBC’s role is key in the delivery of free, fair, and credible 2022 General Election.

“Democracy is powerful when every citizen has a voice. Canada wishes IEBC success in #ECVR202 and urges citizens to register as their vote matters,” the High Commissioner said.

British Deputy High Commissioner Josephine Gauld pledged “to work with IEBC in the next election.”

She said the registration of new voters was important.

“If you do not register, you will not vote,” she said while calling on Kenyans yet to be registered to turn out. “A credible voters register is the foundation of the free and fair poll.”

Also present during the launch was Fred Owako, the chairperson of the Association of Physical Disabled of Kenya.

Owako insisted on his members being involved in the electoral process.

“Polling stations to be made accessible to persons with disabilities,” she said.

The exercise will be conducted in the 27,241 gazetted registration centers countrywide that include the 52 Huduma centers.

IEBC said kit movement within the County Assembly Ward will be agreed on in consultation with relevant stakeholders during the voter’s registration period.

The only requirement to register as a voter is that one must be a Kenyan citizen with a national identification card or valid passport.

The individual must present themselves to a registration officer for the capture of biometric features and personal identifiable details.

The Commission has urged all agencies involved in the issuance of National Identity cards to fast-track the issuance and distribution of the IDs to enable Kenyans who have attained the age of 18 to be registered as voters.