IEBC: Kenyans can register as a voter anywhere, no need to travel to home county

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon/FILE

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon has assured Kenyans that they do not need to travel to their home counties to register as voters.

This is as the Commission continues its nationwide Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.

In a status update released on Friday, April 3, 2026, the chairperson said the Commission has deployed open kits at all registration centres, allowing citizens to register from any location and vote at their preferred polling stations across the country.

“You do not need to travel to your home county to register. The Commission has deployed open kits, which allow a citizen to register as a voter from any registration center and vote at their preferred polling centre across Kenya,” he stated.

The ECVR exercise, launched on March 30, 2026, will run for 30 days, concluding on April 28, 2026.

Registration is ongoing in all 1,450 County Assembly Wards, institutions of higher learning, Huduma Centres, the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers, and constituency offices.

The exercise is a key milestone in preparing for the 2027 General Elections. The Commission has set a target of registering 2.5 million new voters.

As of Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Commission had registered 344,316 new voters. Additionally, 18,610 voters had transferred their registration to new polling centres, while 329 requests for updates or changes of particulars had been processed.

These figures build on the 273,498 registrations recorded under the constituency-based registration initiative launched in September 2025.

Chairperson Ethekon urged Kenyans to take advantage of daily registration, which is available even on weekends and public holidays.

“Please note that only 25 days remain as this ECVR will close on April 28, 2026. You are reminded that there will be no extension. Thereafter, registration will revert to the constituency offices. Therefore, the time to register is now. Please go out and register,” he said.

The Commission also clarified the process for voter transfers. Citizens wishing to move their registration must present themselves to the registration officer in the constituency they intend to transfer to and submit their biometrics afresh.

The procedure ensures proper verification and prevents unlawful mass voter transfers. Registered voters seeking to update their particulars must visit their original registration constituency office.

Chairperson Ethekon emphasised that registration is a civic responsibility and a cornerstone of democratic governance.

“Our primary mission during this window is simple ‘kuwakatia KADI’ (to ensure you get that voter’s card),” he said.

The voter registration acknowledgement slip, known as KADI, signifies more than proof of registration; it represents a citizen’s commitment to participate in the democratic process and hold leadership accountable.

The Commission is encouraging all eligible citizens, particularly young people, including Gen Z and first-time voters, to participate actively and mobilise their communities.

Kenyans are urged to register early and not wait until the final days of the exercise. “Together, let us strengthen our democracy through active, informed, and inclusive participation,” the chairperson concluded.

The ECVR exercise represents the IEBC’s drive to make voter registration more accessible, inclusive, and convenient, removing traditional barriers of geography and ensuring that all eligible citizens can exercise their democratic rights ahead of the 2027 polls.