Maraga faults IEBC for ignoring continuous voter registration mandate
By Joel Masibo, August 22, 2025Former Chief Justice David Maraga has faulted the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for failing to carry out continuous voter registration as required by the 2010 Constitution, accusing the electoral body of deliberately disenfranchising millions of Kenyan youth.
In his Friday, August 22, 2025, statement, Maraga cited Article 88(4)(a) of the 2010 Constitution, which mandates IEBC to conduct continuous voter registration. However, he noted that the Commission has suspended the exercise since 2022, offering what he termed as “frivolous excuses” while openly violating the Constitution.
“The Commission cannot continue picking and choosing which of its constitutional duties to undertake based on political patronage,” Maraga stated.
Maraga, who is also eyeing the presidency ahead of the 2027 General Election, further criticised the electoral body for inconsistencies in executing its mandate, pointing out that while IEBC has failed to register new voters for years, it “over-enthusiastically cleared the nomination of Kithure Kindiki when he was selected as Deputy President,” he said.
He also accused IEBC of frustrating legitimate citizen-led efforts to recall Members of Parliament, despite the law clearly providing for such action.
The former Chief Justice has now demanded that IEBC immediately resume continuous voter registration and embark on a mass registration drive to ensure that eligible youth are not locked out of the democratic process.
ID cards issuance and voter registration
He also called on the Registrar of Persons to expedite the issuance of national identification cards to all young Kenyans who have attained the age of 18, stressing that this is a critical prerequisite for voter registration.
“I call on the youth to ensure that you have your national ID and register to vote. Your power is in your ID and your vote,” Maraga urged.
Earlier, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) issued a statement addressing public concerns and varying interpretations regarding the 90-day constitutional limit for conducting by-elections, as outlined under Article 101(4)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, IEBC explained that the same Article stipulates that a by-election for a vacant parliamentary seat, either in the National Assembly or the Senate, must be held within 90 days (3 months) after the seat is declared vacant. However, the IEBC pointed out that in the case of several upcoming by-elections, the vacancies arose long before the current Commission was constituted.
Maraga’s remarks come amid growing public pressure on IEBC to conduct voter registration and restore public confidence in its operations as the country gradually shifts focus towards the beckoning 2027 General Election.