Kenya’s 2027 General Elections are just around the corner, and as a result, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and roll revisions starting Monday, September 29.
The exercise, rolled out at 290 constituency offices nationwide, will enable citizens to register, transfer registration, update personal details, or verify their voter status.
Registration will be conducted Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding public holidays. However, IEBC stated that continuous voter registration will not take place in electoral areas where by-elections are ongoing.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon explained that the voter registration exercise is anchored in Article 88(4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which requires the Commission to maintain a continuous register of voters.
“This exercise is a vital step in ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to participate in shaping the country’s future through democratic elections,” Ethekon said, urging young people in particular to register ahead of the August 2027 polls.
Insights from the 2022 Voter Register
The 2022 General Election provides key lessons that indicate why this year’s voter registration drive matters.
Kenya’s voter register grew from 19.6 million in 2017 to 22.12 million in 2022, an increase of about 2.5 million voters, according to data from The Star and The Standard.
Despite this growth, the figure represented just 79.4% of eligible citizens (27.86 million at the time), reflecting only a modest improvement from 77.8% in 2017.
When compared to the number of issued national ID cards, the registration rate actually dipped to 74.8% in 2022, down from 77.4% in 2017.
The numbers also revealed worrying trends in youth participation. Voters aged 18 to 34 made up just 39.8% of the register in 2022, a decline of 5.3 percentage points from 2017.
Female youth registration fell sharply by 7.8%, while male youth registration slipped by 2.9%.
Beyond registration, turnout also declined significantly; an IRI/NDI report showed that youth participation at the ballot dropped from 77% in 2017 to about 65% in 2022.
These figures underline a paradox: while Kenya has one of the youngest populations in Africa, that demographic is steadily losing electoral influence.
Key Preparations for a Smooth Rollout
To ensure efficiency and inclusivity, the Commission has undertaken several measures, including:
- Mapping registration centers across all constituencies to improve accessibility.
- Training and gazettement of registration officers to guide the process.
- Testing of KIEMS kits to ensure reliability during registration.
- Voter education campaigns and stakeholder consultations to boost awareness.
- Data protection compliance to safeguard personal information.
How and Where to Register
Eligible citizens can register at IEBC constituency offices nationwide. Services will include:
- New voter registration.
- Transfer of voter details to a new polling station.
- Updates or corrections of voter details.
- Inspection of voter registration status via the IEBC portal
Registration requires a valid Kenyan National ID or passport, and citizens must not be listed in another register.
This phase will not cover diaspora voters or Kenyans in correctional facilities, with IEBC noting that policy reviews for these categories are still ongoing.
IEBC is banking on the youth, who constitute the majority of the population, to turn out in large numbers and shape the country’s leadership in 2027.
