NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed ongoing discussions with the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services to build a dedicated Application Programming Interface (API) linked to the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS).
IEBC said the move will strengthen voter identification and improve the accuracy of Kenya’s voters’ register.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 16 2026, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the proposed API will allow real‑time validation of national ID cards and passports against the master population database maintained under IPRS.
“We urge stakeholders, especially the political actors, to refrain from uncorroborated, inflammatory, and divisive statements that not only undermine the integrity of electoral processes, but also the independence of the Commission,” he said.
The system is intended to ensure that only legitimate identification documents are used during voter registration and verification exercises ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The electoral body emphasised that collaboration with the immigration department is part of its constitutional mandate to maintain an accurate and up‑to‑date voter register, as provided under Article 88(4) of the Constitution and the Elections Act, 2011.
The API link, once established, will serve as a secure channel for checking IDs and passports against official population records, helping to reduce errors and prevent fraud.
IEBC said the voter register remains under its exclusive custody and control, and that all data‑sharing arrangements will be conducted within the law, including the Data Protection Act, 2019.
It added that cross‑agency cooperation is standard practice to support lawful verification, compliance and fraud prevention during the voter registration process.
The development comes amid broader efforts by IEBC to modernise voter registration systems.
The commission has previously announced plans to introduce digital platforms for voters to pre‑register and to roll out ward‑based and mass registration drives ahead of the 2027 polls.
IEBC urged stakeholders, especially political actors, to avoid unverified claims and inflammatory statements that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
