The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to introduce a digital platform aimed at making voter registration easier, especially for young Kenyans.
The system will enable prospective voters to fill out registration forms online and only visit registration centers to provide biometric information, a move designed to streamline the process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at a prayer breakfast on Wednesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon explained the new system: "We are introducing a digital platform where you have a link, a pre-registration form, you can fill all your details and all you need to do is walk into the nearest Huduma or registration center and give your fingerprints."
Ethekon said the Commission remains on track with preparations for the 2027 elections, highlighting voter registration as a top priority.
IEBC aims to register 6.3 million new voters, including those who have recently turned 18 and individuals who have not yet registered, while also assisting those who wish to transfer their registration to new polling stations.
The first phase of the registration exercise has already attracted around 200,000 new voters. The Commission, however, intends to scale up mobilization efforts at the grassroots level.
"We are not worried because of the low numbers. Continuous voter registration is based at the constituency level. Our plan is to roll out a mass voter registration in March and through that we will set up registration centres in every village," Ethekon said.
He stressed that the Commission is committed to maintaining the integrity of the voter roll to ensure it accurately reflects eligible voters. Ethekon also appealed to religious leaders, media personnel, and stakeholders to contribute toward "making 2027 the best election in the history of Kenya."
The Chairperson acknowledged challenges that could affect the registration drive, including limited budgets, which he warned may hinder the Commission's ability to reach youth, vulnerable populations, and areas with limited digital access.
"Without these budgets we will be incapacitated to reach out to these young people, vulnerable persons and places without the digital media," he said.
Other obstacles include pending legal reforms such as the 2/3 gender rule, which requires greater political participation from women. Ethekon noted that Parliament reduced IEBC’s requested election budget from Sh61.7 billion to Sh57.3 billion last year, a move he warned could affect operations.
He said the reduction could force the Commission to scale down personnel at polling stations and at the national tallying centre, potentially disrupting the election process.
Currently, Kenya has 22.1 million registered voters. The Commission expects this number to rise to 28.4 million by the 2027 polls.
