NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is targeting approximately 28.5 million registered voters ahead of Kenya’s August 10, 2027 General Election, potentially increasing the voter register by more than six million from the 2022 polls.
The commission had 22.1 million registered voters during the 2022 General Election.
As of August 20, 2026, a total of 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters since the launch of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on September 29, 2025.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said building an accurate and verifiable register remains central to preparations for the 2027 election.
“The foundation of a credible election is a clean, accurate and verifiable register of voters,” Ethekon said.
The commission is relying on the ongoing registration exercise to substantially increase the number of eligible voters before the next election.
IEBC has urged eligible Kenyans who have not registered to do so, while those who have changed locations are encouraged to transfer their voting stations and update their voter information where necessary.
Voter register to undergo forensic audit
The commission will subject the voter register to a forensic audit by an independent professional firm before it is certified for use in the 2027 General Election.
IEBC said biometric technology will play a central role in strengthening the integrity of the register and improving voter verification.
“Through the use of biometric technology for voter registration and voter verification, we are strengthening the integrity of the register of voters,” the commission said.
The process is expected to allow voters to inspect and verify their biometric information while helping identify and remove deceased voters and cases of double registration.
The audit and verification process are intended to improve confidence in the register and address concerns that could arise from inaccurate or duplicate records.
Diaspora voting countries to rise from 12 to 26
In a major expansion of overseas voter participation, IEBC also plans to increase the number of countries where Kenyans living abroad can register to vote from 12 to 26.
The move will more than double the geographical reach of Kenya’s diaspora voter registration programme.
“The Commission is also expanding voter registration for citizens residing outside Kenya from 12 to 26 countries, advancing the progressive constitutional right of eligible Kenyans residing outside the country to participate in elections,” IEBC said.
The expansion is expected to give more Kenyans living outside the country an opportunity to participate in the 2027 electoral process.
The commission has not only called for new registrations but also urged already registered voters to verify their information ahead of the election.
IEBC urges Kenyans to verify details
With the 2027 election approaching, IEBC warned Kenyans to be cautious about misinformation and encouraged voters to rely on official information about registration and electoral procedures.
The commission said citizens have a responsibility to ensure their voter information is accurate while participating peacefully in the electoral process.
“The Commission urges the people of Kenya to register and verify their voter details, reject misinformation and exercise their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly,” IEBC said.
