NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo is calling for urgent reforms to make voter registration more inclusive, even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reports registering over 2.6 million new voters in Phase One of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR).
IEBC data shows a total of about 2.61 million new voters were added to the register, surpassing its target of 2.5 million, with the bulk recorded during a 30-day mass registration drive.
The commission has, in previous updates, also highlighted disparities in turnout, with urban counties such as Nairobi posting significantly higher numbers compared to marginalised and remote regions.
But Odhiambo argues the figures, while encouraging, mask deeper structural barriers that continue to exclude vulnerable groups from participating in the democratic process.
“Insecurity, poor internet connectivity, and limited civic education still lock too many Kenyans out of the democratic franchise,” she said, pointing to the struggles faced by youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
She emphasised that a credible voter register must be judged not just by how many people are captured, but by whether all eligible citizens can register and vote without hardship.
Her appeal comes as concerns grow over access gaps in far-flung areas, where logistical challenges, weak infrastructure and misinformation campaigns have historically depressed voter registration and turnout.
Odhiambo is now urging the government to invest in underserved regions, strengthen civic education, and tackle misinformation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Democracy is not only about numbers but fairness and genuine inclusion,” she said, warning that failure to address the gaps could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
