The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stepped up voter education and stakeholder engagement efforts in Kirinyaga County as part of its preparations for the 2027 General Election while moving to address concerns surrounding the voter register and missing registration details.

Speaking on Friday, April 10, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kerugoya, IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu, who oversees voter registration and electoral operations, said the Commission is committed to ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent, inclusive and well understood by all Kenyans.

Nderitu said elections should be viewed as a continuous process that requires the active involvement of all sectors of society, noting that the Commission is engaging stakeholders early enough to build confidence ahead of the 2027 polls.

The forum brought together security teams, youth groups, civil society organisations, women leaders and religious representatives, with discussions centring on voter preparedness and the ongoing mass voter registration exercise, which is scheduled to end on April 28.

She said several concerns had been raised by stakeholders, including issues touching on the voter register, missing personal details and past registration records.

“We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by stakeholders and clarified a number of issues. Where more action is needed, the Commission will continue engaging all parties before and after the 2027 elections,” Nderitu said.

2012 registration concerns

Addressing concerns over the 2012 and previous voter registration records, Nderitu clarified that the current digital voter register was established during the mass registration exercise conducted in 2012 ahead of the 2013 General Election.

manual registration process

She explained that the system replaced the previous manual registration process following challenges experienced during the 2007 elections.

“The register we are using today was created during the 2012 mass voter registration exercise. Those who were not captured at that time remain outside the system, which is why we are urging them to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise,” she said.

Nderitu further clarified concerns about missing details on registration records, explaining that some of the information being flagged by voters may involve fields that are not applicable to certain individuals and therefore should not cause alarm.

She assured stakeholders that the Commission is keenly reviewing such concerns to ensure every eligible voter’s information is properly captured and verified.

On the progress of voter registration in Kirinyaga, Nderitu noted that the county is targeting registering more than 40,000 new voters. However, as of April 9, just over 15,000 people had registered.

“This number is still below our target. We are calling upon all eligible citizens who have not yet registered to turn out in large numbers before the exercise closes,” she urged.

IEBC reaching minority groups

She also revealed that the Commission is working on strategies to reach vulnerable groups, including the elderly, persons living with disabilities and the sick, through special arrangements such as home visits.

“We want every eligible Kenyan to be part of this process. No one should be left behind because of their condition,” she said.

Nderitu called on Kenyans to trust the Commission, assuring the public that IEBC is fully committed to conducting free, fair and transparent elections in 2027.

“We urge Kenyans to have confidence in the Commission. We are putting in place better technology and improved systems to ensure a free, transparent and credible election,” she said.

Kirinyaga IEBC County Coordinator Jane Gitonga said the meeting was aimed at strengthening public confidence in the integrity of the voter register and the overall electoral process.

Meanwhile, Kirinyaga Deputy County Commissioner Josphine Mwengi raised concern over more than 10,000 uncollected national identity cards lying at the National Registration Bureau and Huduma Centres across the county.

She urged residents who had applied for IDs to collect them to enable voter registration and participation in the next general election.