Leaders raise concerns over alleged voter transfers in Nairobi

Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege during food distribution exercise./HANDOUT

Several leaders in Nairobi County have raised concerns over ongoing voter registration exercise, alleging irregularities in the transfer of some voters to polling stations outside the city.

Led by Nairobi County Assembly Deputy Minority Leader and Nairobi South Ward MCA Waithera Chege, the leaders claim that a number of voters have been moved to centres outside Nairobi without their consent.

Waithera said reports from residents indicate that some individuals registering as new voters are also being assigned polling stations outside the capital.

Nairobi South Ward residents que to receive food distribution/HANDOUT 

She has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to urgently investigate and rectify the situation, urging residents to verify their details during registration to avoid discrepancies ahead of the next General Election.

“We want to ask the IEBC to ensure that the data of those moved to places like Garissa without their knowledge is reverted, because they were not informed when this was done,” she said.

Waithera spoke while distributing Easter gifts to residents of Nairobi South Ward.

In response, Westlands Constituency Returning Officer Muthee Gakuru urged eligible voters, especially the youth, to turn out in large numbers and register, assuring them of the commission’s neutrality.

He emphasized that the IEBC is non-partisan and solely mandated to facilitate voter registration, noting that decisions on whom to vote for remain a personal choice.

“The Tuko Kadi initiative, we have seen the fruits of it but they should also remember that as IEBC we are not partisan. We are only out to register people. The issue of who you will vote for is a personal decision”, he said.

Gakuru added that registration centres remain open daily, including during the Easter holiday period, to ensure all eligible Kenyans have the opportunity to register.

“We continue urging the youth and anybody else out there who is not registered to come and register. We are available every day even during the Easter holiday”, he added    

The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise will run for 30 days until April 28, 2026.

According to the electoral body, the nationwide drive aims to expand access to voter registration and update the country’s electoral register ahead of 2027 polls.