ELOG flags slow voter registration, warns progress lagging far behind 2027 target

A young Kenyan is registered as a voter for the first time at the Starehe Constituency IEBC offices in Nairobi on September 28, 2025. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Wednesday, October 15, 2025

ELOG warns that the overall progress remains far below expectations even as the IEBC targets to register 6.3 million new voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has raised concern over the slow pace of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, warning that the overall progress remains far below expectations even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) targets to register 6.3 million new voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In its week-two assessment, ELOG reported that although new voter registrations have increased compared to the first week of the exercise, the overall pace remains limited and uneven across the country.

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According to data released by the IEBC, 20,754 new voters have been registered, 3,207 transfers processed, and 61 updates recorded since the resumption of the exercise on September 29.

"This represents a 194 per cent growth in new registrations compared to Week One, which recorded 7,048 new voters. It is important to note that the growth percentages reported for individual counties are indicative, based on Week One performance, and do not reflect progress toward the overall 6.3 million registration target set for the 2027 election," the ELOG noted.

ELOG’s independent analysis shows significant disparities among counties. Nyeri recorded the highest growth in new registrations at 613 per cent, followed by Migori (309 per cent), Kakamega (278 per cent), Busia (249 per cent), and Murang’a (189 per cent). In contrast, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nyamira recorded negative growth rates of -58 and -20 per cent, respectively, while Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyamira, Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu posted minimal increases.

"Taken together, while some counties show strong growth, the overall pace of registration remains far below expectations. With only 20,754 new voters registered in the first two weeks, progress toward the 6.3 million voter registration target is still very limited. This underscores the need for IEBC to examine factors influencing voter registration and identify ways to accelerate coverage," said the Observer group.

"ELOG further encourages IEBC to set county-specific milestones for this target so that duty bearers and stakeholders can monitor progress and assist in achieving the set objectives."

ELOG attributed the slow progress to a combination of accessibility challenges, limited outreach, and weak public awareness. The group noted that some IEBC constituency offices are located on upper floors of buildings without ramps or lifts, making them difficult to access for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly. It also found that inadequate funding and logistical support had restricted officials to their offices, leaving many eligible voters in remote areas unserved.

"In multiple counties, IEBC officials reported insufficient budgetary allocations and logistical support to conduct outreach beyond their offices. Consequently, eligible voters in remote or underserved areas remain largely unserved. ELOG calls on IEBC to deploy mobile registration units or designate temporary registration points in densely populated or hard-to-reach areas to enhance inclusivity," the group stated.

Additionally, confusion among voters about where they can register or transfer their details has discouraged participation in some areas. ELOG said some citizens were turned away when attempting to register outside their home constituencies, while others lacked clear guidance on registration procedures and polling locations. The group further observed that registration is only being conducted from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., a schedule that disadvantages working Kenyans who may only be free on weekends.

To address these challenges, ELOG urged IEBC to deploy mobile registration units, extend operating hours to weekends, and ensure all registration centres comply with accessibility standards under the Persons with Disabilities Act.

"ELOG observers noted that IEBC conducts registration only Monday to Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Since many Kenyans are not working on weekends, the absence of weekend registration limits opportunities for participation. Introducing weekend registration could significantly boost turnout and improve accessibility for a broader segment of the population," the organisation stated.

It also called for stronger civic education and the regular publication of county-level progress reports to enhance transparency and public confidence in the voter registration process.

"IEBC should publish detailed weekly registration reports, including demographic breakdowns (youth, women, PWDs), county-specific progress, and milestone tracking toward the 6.3 million voter registration target."

ELOG emphasised that improving accessibility, outreach, and communication will be critical in ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to register and participate in the 2027 General Election.