Nairobi: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been challenged to take the ongoing voter registration exercise to the grassroots in a bid to reach more Kenyans. Speaking during Mazingira Day celebrations at Kabuyefwe Comprehensive School in Trans Nzoia, Kenya Bureau of Standards Chairperson Chris Wanjala urged the Commission to ensure that no individual in possession of a valid Kenya National Identification Card is left out of the voter registration exercise.
According to Kenya News Agency, the call comes just days after the electoral body rolled out a mass voter listing exercise across the country, excluding areas scheduled to witness by-elections. Chris Wanjala highlighted the challenges faced by individuals who are occupied with farming and other activities, making it difficult for them to travel to their respective Constituency Headquarters to register. He urged the IEBC to consider extending the voter registration exercise to Sub-locations and villages to combat voter registration apathy prevalent in many parts of the country.
Kenya's Permanent Representative to UN Habitat, Susan Nakhumicha, along with legislators Robert Pukose (Endebess), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza), and Maurice Kakai Bisau (Kiminini), supported Wanjala's sentiments. They called on Kenyans to unite behind their elected leaders to advance the country's development. Bisau specifically encouraged the youth to register as voters to ensure their participation in the 2027 election.
Additionally, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi rallied Trans Nzoia residents to support President Dr. William Ruto in steering the country's development agenda, emphasizing that there is still time before the next general elections. He stressed the importance of supporting elected leaders to fulfill their election mandates.
The event was presided over by the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry CS Dr. Deborah Barasa.