The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has registered 1,876,274 new voters in less than a month, as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
According to a status update released on April 24, 2026, the new registrations were recorded between March 30 and April 23 under the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
The Commission reported that 505,344 voters were added in just one week since its previous update on April 17.
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The figures highlight growing participation, particularly among first-time voters, as the IEBC urged those yet to register to take advantage of the remaining days before the exercise closes on April 28.
“With four days remaining, we urge all eligible voters who have not yet registered to seize this opportunity to enlist as voters,” the Commission said in the statement, framing registration as a civic duty tied to democratic participation.
The influx of newly registered voters is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the August 10, 2027 elections, when Kenyans will elect leaders across six elective positions.
The IEBC emphasised that a credible election depends on a comprehensive and accurate Register of Voters, positioning the recent surge as critical to electoral integrity.
Beyond new registrations, the Commission recorded 159,410 voter transfers and 2,817 updates of personal details, indicating ongoing adjustments by previously registered voters.
County-level data shows that urban centres and populous regions accounted for a large share of new registrations.
Nairobi City led with 209,965 new voters, followed by Kiambu (97,557), Nakuru (81,166), and Kakamega (80,711).
Machakos and Bungoma also posted strong numbers, reflecting broad national uptake of the exercise.
The IEBC attributed the success of the registration drive to increased public awareness and mobilization efforts, while commending citizens who turned out to register, transfer, or update their details.
“The Commission commends all Kenyans who have come out to register as voters, transferred their registration or updated their registration particulars,” the statement read.
Central to the process is a robust verification system designed to ensure the credibility of the voter register.
The IEBC explained that each applicant undergoes identity verification using legally recognized documents, followed by the capture of biometric data including fingerprints, facial images, and iris scans.
This data is then transmitted to a centralised system, where automated checks—such as biometric de-duplication—are conducted to eliminate duplicate or inconsistent records.
“This process identifies duplicate registrations, conflicting records and any anomalies within the dataset,” the Commission noted.
After data cleaning and validation, the records are compiled into a provisional register, which will be subjected to a 30-day public verification period.
During this stage, voters will be required to confirm their details and report any discrepancies, reinforcing transparency and accountability.
The Commission clarified that during this verification phase, the online portal will only display a voter’s registration centre, with polling stations to be assigned later.
An independent audit will then be conducted before the final Register of Voters is certified and published in the Kenya Gazette, making it the official roll for the 2027 elections.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the process, warning against misinformation and interference.
“The integrity, credibility, and sustainability of the electoral system are matters of collective national responsibility,” he said, urging stakeholders to “refrain from any conduct or utterances that may amount to misinformation, intimidation, coercion or undue interference.”
He added that such actions could undermine public confidence in the electoral system and weaken democratic governance.
Following the conclusion of the ECVR exercise, the Commission will revert to continuous voter registration at Huduma Centres, constituency offices, and its headquarters at Anniversary Towers.
The IEBC also noted that voter registration is currently suspended in select areas with pending by-elections or election petitions, including Emurua Dikirr and Ol Kalou constituencies.
As the deadline approaches, the Commission reiterated that registration remains the gateway to political participation, anchored in constitutional rights under Article 38.
“The legitimacy of democratic authority is anchored in the integrity of the Register of Voters and is ultimately affirmed through the free and sovereign will of the people,” the IEBC said.
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