Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has issued a direct call to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to prioritise mass voter registration in 2026, warning that failure to register millions of young voters could significantly influence the outcome of the 2027 General Election.
In a New Year message to Kenyans, the Jubilee Party Deputy Leader said the country was entering a decisive political moment that demands urgent action to protect democratic participation.
Matiang’i described 2025 as a painful year for many households, citing the rising cost of living, declining healthcare standards, growing insecurity and increased school dropouts linked to delayed funding of free education programmes.
He warned that without bold intervention in 2026, Kenya risks sinking deeper into poverty and worsening living conditions, driven by what he termed runaway corruption and ineffective service delivery.
“As the United Opposition, we will not relent in pushing back against economic decline and leadership failure,” Matiang’i said.
IEBC MUST GIVE PRIORITY TO MASS VOTER REGISTRATION IN 2026 Fellow brothers and sisters in Kenya and Diaspora,May I take this early opportunity to wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2026. I thank the Almighty God for the precious gift of life throughout a challenging year, 2025,
With the 2027 polls looming, Matiang’i urged eligible Kenyans—particularly first-time voters and the youth—to register in large numbers, arguing that political reform can only be achieved through the ballot.
He said the IEBC must urgently roll out a nationwide mass voter registration exercise and ensure registration points are accessible to young people, including through universities and colleges across the country.
“The future of this country will be decided by turnout,” Matiang’i said, adding that meaningful change would only come if voters show up in large numbers at polling stations.
Matiang’i warned that Kenya cannot afford another term under the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing the government of eroding development gains achieved by previous governments.
He concluded by calling for unity, vigilance and civic action in 2026, urging Kenyans to take charge of the country’s future through participation in the electoral process.
