NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 4 – DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa has challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its directive requiring some Kenyans to register again as voters.
Wamalwa dismissed the move, questioning why fresh registration is needed when biometric systems were successfully used in the last election.
“Dear IEBC… hii mchezo ya taun won’t be allowed. If 99 percent of all those who voted in 2022 were successfully identified using biometrics, why the new call for registration? Don’t try those games again,” he said.
His remarks come as IEBC clarified that individuals who registered before 2012 must register afresh to be included in the current biometric voter register.
“Individuals who had previously enrolled as voters before 2012 are not part of the current biometric register unless they registered afresh,” the Commission said.
The clarification comes amid an ongoing nationwide voter registration drive that has already seen over 344,000 new voters added within days.
According to IEBC, 344,316 new voters had been registered by April 2, alongside 18,610 transfers and 329 updates of personal details.
“This nationwide mass registration drive is a critical milestone as we prepare for the 2027 General Elections,” IEBC said.
The exercise, which began on March 30, will run for 30 days, with the Commission targeting 2.5 million new voters across the country.
IEBC has urged Kenyans to take advantage of the Easter holiday period to register, warning that there will be no extension beyond the April 28 deadline.
“Only 25 days remain… there will be no extension. The time to register is now,” the Commission emphasized.
The electoral body also sought to ease concerns, saying voters can register from any location without traveling to their home counties.
“You do not need to travel to your home county. You can register from any centre and choose your preferred polling station,” IEBC said.