By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) yesterday rolled out a nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as part of its preparations for the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Chairperson Erustus Edung Ethekon, HSC, said the registration drive is at the core of the country’s democratic process, describing it as the moment when citizens move from being bystanders to becoming active nation-builders.
He noted that the Constitution, under Article 88, mandates the Commission to conduct continuous voter registration and to regularly revise the register, which he termed the foundation of free, fair, and inclusive elections.
The exercise will take place across all 290 constituencies and will be supported by 57 Huduma Centres to improve accessibility.
In addition, 24,128 registration centres have been gazetted nationwide, while constituency offices will continue to handle voter transfers and corrections.
According to Ethekon, the Commission has set a target of 28.5 million registered voters by 2027 and has developed a phased plan to achieve this, beginning with the CVR launched on Monday, followed by an enhanced registration drive after the November 27, 2025 by-elections, and a second enhanced phase scheduled for the next financial year.
The Chairperson explained that IEBC has upgraded its voter technology by integrating a new Biometric Voter Registration module into the KIEMS system.
He said this would make voter registration faster, more secure, and more reliable.
He further assured Kenyans that the Commission had aligned centres and deployed mobile units to reach remote areas, ensuring inclusivity and equity.
Ethekon appealed particularly to the youth, who make up more than 70 percent of the voting population, urging them to take advantage of the opportunity.
“If you are not yet registered, this is your chance. Registering today is your voice in tomorrow’s election. The future of our nation depends on your participation,” he said.
Commissioner Ann Nderitu, the Chairperson of the Electoral Operations Committee, underscored the importance of the register, calling it the backbone of electoral preparedness and the guarantee of credible elections.
She said the Commission had already gazetted registration officers, realigned centres, and deployed new technology to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
She emphasized the need for collaboration between the Commission, county governments, civil society, and citizens to ensure the success of the registration exercise.
Both Ethekon and Nderitu reiterated that a credible register is the bedrock of free and fair elections, with the IEBC pledging to deliver a transparent, secure, and inclusive process as Kenya moves towards the 2027 General Election.
