IEBC targets 54K new voters in Makueni
By Emmanuel Rono, April 3, 2026Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials in Makueni County have set an ambitious goal of registering 54,000 new voters within the county amid the mass voter registration across the country.
Speaking to the journalist in Makueni on Friday, April 3, 2026, after convening a consultative meeting with key stakeholders, including politicians, journalists, religious leaders, and human rights organisations, Makueni County IEBC leader Maurice Raria said the exercise is already underway.
“We want our stakeholders to assist us in mobilising the people to come out and register. So far, for those three days, we have registered over 4,000 out of our target of 54,000,” Raria said.
Despite the steady start, the exercise has met with significant concerns regarding legal compliance and the registration timeline.
Audit of the system
Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr pointed out that as of 2022, the commission had yet to complete two legally mandated tasks: an audit of the register and an audit of the system.
He stressed that the IEBC must be accountable to ensure the public maintains confidence in the upcoming electoral process.
“Mwaka wa 2022 hatujafanya mambo mawili ambayo yalikuwa lazima yafanyike kisheria. La kwanza ni audit of the register. La pili ni audit of the system. Na Kwa hivyo ni vizuri watu wakijisajili katika register ya kupiga kura pia IEBC iwajibike ili watu wawe na confidence,” Mutula said.
/X
This comes following the continuous voter registration by the IEBC.
IEBC mass voter registration
The commission has set an ambitious target of growing Kenya’s voter register to 28.5 million by the 2027 General Election, following insights drawn from the 2022 Post-Election Evaluation Report, which recorded 22,120,458 registered voters.
The commission, led by its chairperson, Erastus Ethokon, announced a nationwide rollout of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise across all county assembly wards and 57 Huduma Centres during the national launch in Kwale County on March 30, 2026. The initiative aims to register at least 2.5 million new voters.
“By launching the ECVR in Shimoni, Kwale, which is predominantly home to several minority groups, WaTswaka, WaPemba, Makonde, Washirazi, Wavumba and WaRundi, the IEBC reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and accessibility in voter registration.
‘Together, we can strengthen democracy and ensure that Kwale County continues to shine as a beacon of opportunity and voter participation,” Ethokon said.