The People’s Liberation Party leader, Martha Karua, has slammed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over fresh remarks that Kenyans who registered before 2012 must enrol afresh.

In a statement on Saturday, April 4, 2026, Karua has accused the IEBC of punishing Kenyans for administrative failures.

On her part, Karua has explained that IEBC’s administrative failures have turned into a burden for Kenyans.

“Your right to vote is not conditional. It is guaranteed under Article 38 of our Constitution. Kenyans cannot be punished for administrative failures within the IEBC,” Karua stated.

“The burden must never shift to the voter. Kura zetu ni haki yetu,” Karua said.

IEBC to voters

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently announced progress in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise while clarifying that Kenyans who registered before 2012 must enrol afresh to be included in the current biometric register.

In a statement shared on X on Friday, April 3, 2026, the commission said the current biometric Register of Voters (RoV) came into operation in 2012 after the promulgation of the 2010 constitution.

“The current biometric Register of Voters (RoV) came into operation in 2012 upon the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010; the enactment of the Elections Act, which introduced biometric voter registration as a key electoral reform measure and boundaries delimitation of 2012,” the statement read in part.

The commission rolled out the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on March 30, 2026, and it will run for 30 days and close on April 28, 2026, in all the 1,450 County Assembly Wards and other registration centres.

“As you are aware, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission rolled out the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on 30th March 2026. It will run for 30 days and close on 28th April 2026 in all the 1,450 County Assembly Wards (CAWs), institutions of higher learning, Huduma Centres, the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers, and Constituency Offices. The theme for this exercise is: Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration,” the statement reads.

The commission stated that the registration drive is an important milestone as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. The commission further explained that its target for this ECVR exercise is to enlist 2.5 million new voters into the Register of Voters.