NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has registered 250,391 new voters since the rollout of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise in September 2025, even as concerns grow over low youth participation and regional disparities.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said the bulk of new registrations has been concentrated in urban and peri-urban counties, with Nairobi leading at 49,055 voters.
Other top-performing counties include Kiambu County (20,404), Machakos County (11,687), Nakuru County (10,432), and Mombasa County (15,140), highlighting how population density and access to registration services influence turnout.
However, stark disparities persist in arid and semi-arid regions. Counties such as Isiolo County (112), Tana River County (241), and Mandera County (994) recorded the lowest numbers, underscoring structural challenges in voter registration.
Mukhwana attributed the low uptake in these areas to sparse populations, nomadic lifestyles, and limited access to identification documents.
“There are also issues of whether people can obtain ID cards in time. In some regions, even elderly citizens lack birth certificates, let alone IDs,” he said.
The commission also raised an alarm over weak youth participation. While individuals aged 35 and below account for 32.65 per cent of new registrations, those aged 18–20 are the least represented, with only 67,888 registered.
Mukhwana cited delays in acquiring national identity cards after school and limited civic awareness as key barriers affecting first-time voters.
“The youth engagement remains low,” he said, calling for early civic education initiatives within schools to better prepare eligible voters.
Overall, Kenya’s total registered voter population now stands at 22,352,923. Of the newly registered voters, 50.9 per cent are male and 49.1 per cent female, reflecting near gender parity.
Older voters continue to dominate the registration drive, with those above 35 accounting for 67.35 per cent of new entrants—raising concerns about long-term electoral participation if youth engagement is not improved.
The disparities have renewed debate over inclusivity in Kenya’s electoral process, particularly in ensuring equal access for marginalised regions.
Under Article 38 of the Constitution, every adult citizen has the right to register as a voter and participate in elections, placing an obligation on the state to remove barriers to registration.
