IEBC targets 6.5 million new voters ahead of 2027 polls

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is racing against time to enlist at least 6.5 million new voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

As the commission intensifies campaigns to appeal to Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to register, it has taken a keen look at the new numbers that the IEBC is targeting and where the majority of them are.

With 17 months to the August 2027 General Election, the enhanced voter registration exercise is expected to push the total number of voters in 2027 to 28,497,075, up from 22,120,458.

According to projections, IEBC targets to enlist a total of 684,738 in Nairobi, with Starehe constituency leading the pack.

In the Nyanza region, a total of 889,889 new voters are expected to be registered during the ongoing enhanced continuous voter registration.

In the neighbouring Western Kenya region that comprises Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Busia counties, 632,472 possible new voters are targeted for enlistment.

The Rift Valley region has the highest number of unregistered voters, totalling 1,525,531 eligible voters, with Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties leading in the region.

According to IEBC data, the Mt Kenya West region, made up of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties, shows that 861,650 possible new voters are yet to be enlisted as the battle for numbers heats up ahead of the 2027 General Election.

On the other hand, Mt Kenya East, comprising Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties, has 381,630 possible new voters, adding to the voter strength of the larger Central Kenya region.

Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties that make up the Lower Eastern region have a combined 484,687 unregistered eligible voters.

The Northern region, comprising Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties, has 251,699 possible new voters yet to be enlisted.

About 555,799 new voters are targeted for enlistment in Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River counties, which make up the coastal region, with Kisauni constituency leading with the highest number of unregistered eligible voters.

“Mko na nguvu lakini ujue bila kadi yako ya kura nguvu yako umeichukua ukampatia mwingine. Bila kadi yako umechukua sauti yako iende kwa mwingine azungumze anavyotaka,” said Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

To realise these numbers, IEBC commissioners are also calling for partnerships with the political class to help mobilise eligible voters.

“I encourage these partnerships with our leaders at the county and at the national level and all those in parliament and indeed across all those levels of government and civil participation,” IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon said.

IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon said the commission has witnessed a good number of youth turning up to register for voter cards.

The IEBC is also seeking to increase the numbers by enlisting more voters in prisons and in the diaspora.