IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethokon displays a BVR kit during the launch of the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise in Kajiado county, September 29, 2025. /IEBC
The Elections Observation Group has raised concern over the slow pace of voter registration in the first week of the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, warning that the country risks falling short of its six-million voter target if the current trend continues.
In its statement released on Wednesday, Elog said data from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) shows that only 7,048 new voters were registered across the country in the first week, representing just 0.11 per cent of the national target of 6.3 million new voters.
A further 259 voters transferred their registration, while only eight updated their details during the same period.
“If evenly distributed across the four-week period, this pace would represent less than one per cent of the required weekly average,” the group observed.
“This highlights the need for intensified civic mobilisation and logistical support.”
Elog commended the IEBC for resuming the CVR exercise across 278 constituencies in line with the constitution, but said the early data reflected a worrying trend that called for urgent corrective action.
The group said the registration drive, although operationally ready, must now focus on boosting participation among underrepresented groups and regions.
Analysis by Elog shows that voter registration activity has been markedly higher in urban centres than in rural and sparsely populated counties.
Nairobi emerged as the top-performing county with 1,597 new registrations, followed by Mombasa with 556, Kiambu with 386, Kisii with 312 and Machakos with 260.
Nakuru, Kilifi, Mandera and Kitui also showed strong early participation.
However, several counties recorded extremely low numbers, with Lamu registering just 17 new voters, Samburu 18, Tana River 21 and Nyamira 10.
According to Elog, this uneven performance points to deeper issues of access, awareness and logistical reach.
“These variations underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance access and awareness across all counties,” the group said, urging the IEBC and other stakeholders to prioritise outreach and mobile registration in remote regions.
It added that a one-size-fits-all approach would not achieve equitable participation.
Elog also noted that while smaller counties such as Mandera, Wajir and Garissa are showing higher relative growth rates compared to their 2022 registers, more populous counties such as Kakamega, Nakuru and Kisumu are lagging behind.
This, it said, suggested that local mobilisation efforts in parts of northern Kenya were proving effective and could serve as a model for other regions.
The observer group warned that unless IEBC steps up civic engagement, the exercise could miss out on large numbers of potential first-time voters, particularly the youth.
It recommended that the commission intensify awareness campaigns through social media, tertiary institutions and community-based initiatives to reach younger and unregistered Kenyans.
“To build upon the current foundation, IEBC, political actors and civil society should intensify outreach in low-performing counties through county-level and community-based campaigns,” Elog advised.
“Targeted youth engagement should be prioritised using social media, tertiary institutions and mobile registration units to reach first-time voters effectively.”
Elog further encouraged the commission to maintain transparency by publishing weekly progress updates showing county-level performance to enhance accountability and enable timely corrective action.
The group reiterated its commitment to observing the entire voter registration process, noting that consistent communication from the IEBC would be vital in building public trust and encouraging participation.
“Transparent communication and proactive responsiveness from the IEBC will be crucial in building public trust, encouraging participation and safeguarding the credibility of Kenya’s voter register ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle,” said Elog chairperson Victor Nyongesa.
He added that while the first week’s results demonstrate operational readiness, they also reveal the urgency of closing regional and demographic gaps.
Elog, he said, would continue to monitor weekly trends to assess accessibility, efficiency and adherence to electoral law.
The CVR started on September 29 across all 278 constituencies, supported by 57 Huduma Centres.
The commission projects a register of 28.5 million voters in 2027 through a phased approach across all 290 constituencies.
The first phase targets to achieve 10 per cent of new registered voters.
The first enhanced phase will target to enlist 40 per cent new voters, coming after the conclusion of the November 27 by-elections.
The second enhanced CVR will target 50 per cent of voters at the start of the next financial year (July 2026).
IEBC said it has upgraded its technology by integrating a new Biometric Voter Registration module into the KIEMS system to allow for faster, more secure, and more reliable services.
The commission said for the ongoing phase, 24,128 registration centres have been gazetted, ensuring equity and security across the country.
“I appeal to the youth, who make up more than 75 per cent of our population, if you are not yet registered, this is your chance. Registering today is your voice in tomorrow’s election," IEBC chair Erastus Ethokon said at the start of the exercise in Kajiado county.
