NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced a month-long enhanced voter registration exercise in Ol-Kalou Constituency following the recent by-election in the area.
The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise will run from Monday, September 21, to Tuesday, October 20, 2026, giving eligible residents an opportunity to register as voters, transfer their registration, update their details and verify their voter status.
The exercise comes as the electoral commission continues preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election.
Ol-Kalou Voter Registration Dates
In a Gazette Notice, IEBC said the enhanced registration would be conducted for one month following the conduct of the Ol-Kalou by-election.
The commission said the exercise would be conducted at County Assembly Ward level, the Ol-Kalou Constituency Office and other designated registration centres approved by IEBC.
Registration services will be available every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, throughout the enhanced exercise.
The exercise follows the conclusion of the Ol-Kalou parliamentary by-election, after which the commission resumed voter registration activities in the constituency.
Who Can Register?
Kenyan citizens aged 18 years and above who meet the legal requirements for voter registration will be eligible to access the services.
Applicants will be required to present either a valid Kenyan national identity card or a valid Kenyan passport.
Eligible residents will be able to:
- Register as new voters.
- Transfer voter registration to another electoral area.
- Update or correct voter registration details.
- Verify their voter registration status.
The exercise is intended to give residents an opportunity to ensure their details are correctly captured ahead of the next General Election.
Voters Can Transfer Registration
IEBC said residents wishing to transfer their voter registration to another electoral area will be required to appear in person at the IEBC constituency office in their preferred electoral area.
Those seeking to update or correct their voter registration particulars must instead visit the IEBC constituency office where they are currently registered.
The requirements are aimed at ensuring changes to the voter register are made through the prescribed verification procedures.
Registration Continues After October 20
IEBC clarified that the end of the enhanced exercise on October 20 will not mark the end of voter registration in Ol-Kalou.
After the ECVR exercise, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and regular revision of the Register of Voters will continue at the Ol-Kalou IEBC Constituency Office.
The services will be available from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The commission has been conducting similar enhanced registration exercises as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 polls.
IEBC Steps Up 2027 Preparations
The Ol-Kalou exercise is part of IEBC’s broader preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The commission has already set August 10, 2027 as the polling date and is undertaking voter registration and other preparatory activities ahead of the election.
The updated voter register will form the basis for determining eligible voters ahead of the polls.
IEBC Responds to ‘Dead Voters’ Claims
The announcement comes a day after IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana rejected claims associated with UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar that deceased people could be used to vote in the 2027 election.
Mukhwana said the biometric voter verification system uses fingerprints and iris recognition, making it impossible for a deceased person to be authenticated as a voter at the polling station.
“The machines we have rely on biometrics such as fingerprints and iris. So how can a dead person register as a voter or even vote?” Mukhwana said.
Mukhwana also cautioned politicians against statements he said could undermine public confidence in the electoral commission.
Omar has since said his remarks were misunderstood and that he was referring to the importance of voter registration, political participation and ensuring every valid vote counts.
The dispute has added to scrutiny of the electoral process as IEBC intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
