EXPLAINER: What you need to know about voter registration

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially kicked off the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country, marking a critical step in preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The exercise began on Monday, September 29, with a major launch event at Mashuuru Primary School in Kajiado East Constituency.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon led the launch, urging all eligible Kenyans—particularly the youth—to take advantage of the ongoing registration drive.

The CVR will run until a few months before the 2027 polls, with the commission aiming to expand the current voter base from 22.1 million to include an estimated 6.3 million new voters.

“The future of the nation rests on your participation in the democratic process,” said Ethekon, addressing the youth.

“We anticipate registering all Kenyans who will have attained voting age by the time of the next election.”

Voter registration in Kenya is a continuous process mandated by the Constitution and the Elections Act. Unlike periodic registration, which is done shortly before elections, continuous registration involves regular updates to the national register of voters.

During CVR, IEBC will register new eligible voters, transfer voters to different polling stations, update or correct voter details, remove names of deceased persons or those declared legally incompetent and rectify multiple registrations and other inconsistencies.

Registration is being conducted at IEBC constituency offices and designated gazetted registration centres, with services provided free of charge using Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits.

To register, one must be a Kenyan citizen aged 18 years and above, possess a valid Kenyan ID card or passport, not have registered before, not be convicted of an election offence in the last five years, and not be declared of unsound mind by a court.

The IEBC estimates that 70 per of the 2027 electorate will be young people, making the youth the largest voting bloc in the country.

The commission and political leaders alike have intensified calls for Generation Z to take an active role in shaping the country’s future through voter registration.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, speaking at a church service in Kajiado on Sunday, emphasised the importance of youth participation:

“The tool of change is the voting card,” Gachagua said. “

Young Kenyans have spoken out strongly in recent months, but real change will be achieved at the ballot.”

Political analysts agree that the involvement of young voters could significantly influence the outcome of the 2027 election.

To support the CVR exercise, the IEBC has allocated Sh8 billion from its Sh57.3 billion total election budget.

Additional allocations include Sh2.5 billion for voter education and stakeholder engagement, Sh7 billion for replacing ageing Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits, and Sh2.4 billion for system maintenance

IEBC has deployed trained registration officers and clerks in each constituency, responsible for capturing both biometric and alphanumeric data of new voters.

In line with Article 82(1)(e) of the Constitution and a Supreme Court directive, the IEBC is also implementing the progressive registration of Kenyan citizens living abroad. The commission is required to file annual reports on diaspora registration with the National Assembly and the Senate.

The IEBC has emphasised that maintaining a credible and transparent voter register is non-negotiable.

“This process is not open to compromise,” said Ethekon.

“We are committed to ensuring every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to participate in free, fair, and credible elections.”

The Commission urges unregistered citizens, especially youth and first-time voters, to visit their nearest IEBC office or gazetted centre and register early.

Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also rallied the youth to turn out en masse and register as voters.

Several MPs referenced the growing civic consciousness among Generation Z, especially following recent public protests and digital campaigns, as a sign that the youth are ready for deeper political involvement.

Speaking on Monday when he hosted university student leaders at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi, Musyoka told the youth that their voices will only be heard and felt through the ballot during voting day.

“This country’s youth is very hungry for leadership change. The youth are patriotic and do not care about ethnic lines,” the Wiper leader said.

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui and his Embakasi East counterpart Babu Owino echoed his sentiments.

Owino, who addressed the students, threw his weight behind Kalonzo’s presidential bid for the 2027 race.

“Every comrade must register as a voter so that come 2027, we stand firmly behind Kalonzo. Kalonzo has all it takes, I have witnessed his leadership and campaign style,” he told the group.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has also made a public appeal to the youth during a forum in Kilifi Town, held at the Full Gospel Church.

Rev. Canon Josephat Kalume, NCCK Vice Chairman, said voter registration is essential for young people wanting to influence leadership and public policy.

He stressed:

“The voice of young people will only count if they register as voters.”

Joyce Chigogo, NCCK Woman Representative, also encouraged youth to resist political manipulation and to pursue leadership based on constitutional awareness.

She noted that many youths are not yet registered, but encouraged them:

“I challenge them to register in masses if they really want to change this country.”