IEBC registers 2.6 million new voters ahead of the 2027 election
The drive beat its 2.5 million target, with Nairobi, Kiambu and Nakuru registering the most people.
Key points
- Kenya’s electoral commission registered 2,612,725 new voters, beating its target of 2.5 million ahead of the August 2027 general election.
- Most were registered in a 30-day enhanced drive from 30 March to 28 April 2026, which added 2,345,476 voters.
- Nairobi (276,886), Kiambu (128,859) and Nakuru (102,207) registered the most; the total is nearly double the 2016 and 2021 drives.
Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registered 2,612,725 new voters ahead of the 2027 general election, beating its target of 2.5 million.
How it was done
- Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration: a 30-day mass drive from 30 March to 28 April 2026 added 2,345,476 voters.
- Continuous Voter Registration: the regular process, running since September 2025, added 267,249.
The IEBC used more than 30,000 registration centres across all 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards, as well as universities and Huduma Centres. An "open kit" approach let eligible Kenyans register anywhere, whatever their home area.
Where people registered
- Nairobi: 276,886
- Kiambu: 128,859
- Nakuru: 102,207
"This exercise demonstrates a strong national commitment to participate in the democratic process and signals high readiness," said IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
Nearly double past drives
The total is almost double the 1.45 million registered in the first phase in 2016 and the 1.5 million in 2021.
What happens next
The IEBC will clean the register, remove duplicates using biometric checks and carry out independent audits before certifying it for the August 2027 general election.
Sources
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