GARISSA,Kenya,Jan ,31 – The independent and electoral boundaries commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has appealed to Kenyans who have not registered as voters to use the remaining one week to do so.
Speaking outside the Garissa county commissioner’s office during an inspection tour of the ongoing second round of enhanced voter registration exercise, Chebukati said the exercise which begun on January 17 will end on February 6, 2022.
Chebukati said that so far the commission has registered over 500,000 Kenyans countrywide, an improvement from last week where the numbers miniscule. He however admitted that they might not meet their targets.
“we are very far away from the national targeted. Lets cross the bridge when we reach there,but I know it is an uphill task…but it is not too late we still have one week. If Kenyans come all we shall be able to serve them so let us be hopeful,” he said. further stating that, “Mine is to appeal to Kenyans all over to please take advantage of this last week and register so that you can be able to elect leaders of your choice,” said Chebukati.
He ruled out any extension noting that it will be the final phase in preparation for the general elections.
Chebukati further lauded residents of Garissa county for using the second phase to turn up in large numbers to register revealing that it was so far the leading county with a total of 8,736 against a target of 24,000 saying that it was a very good indicator.
“I want to confirm it here that Garissa is doing very well as against other counties. one of the best. And we hope by the end of the exercise many more with ID cards will have registered.
Some of the reasons that were cited for voter registration apathy were lack of ID cards especially among the youth, lack of enough sensitization and drought. The later was said to be the main reason.
However, Chebukati said that with the government having issued out ID cards recently, the youth who are yet to register should come out and register.
“My appeal to the residents is let us set a record and the remaining 16,00 youth should come out and register so that you can fully participate in the august polls because it sis your democratic right to elect the leaders you want,” he said.
He further appealed to local leaders to continue mobilizing their people to register emphasizing on the important role they have played throughout the exercise.
Chebukati further revealed that all programmes are running only smoothly noting that after the voter registration exercise next activity will be party primaries where he urged aspirants to promote their parties and themselves peacefully.
“Mine is just to appeal to aspirants that as you go round promoting your parties and yourselves please do so peacefully so that we don’t have any acrimony. For those who will not follow the law the commission will have a process to deal with them through a code of conduct committee,” said Chebukati.
He said that the commission will continue working closely with the office of the DPP and the NCIC and various security teams to tame politicians who will misbehave.
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