The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concern over failure by political leaders from Western region in helping to mobilise residents to register as voters in the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
IEBC Commissioner Dr Alutalala Mukhwana complained that politicians were instead preoccupied with voter transfers.
Speaking Wednesday during a stakeholder’s forum at Bishop Nicholas Stam Pastoral Centre in Kakamega town, Dr Mukhwana told politicians to use their influence to urge residents to turn up in large numbers to register.
“It is disappointing that our politicians have not shown willingness to help us in mobilising for voter registration. Our officers are more involved in voter transfer instead of registering new ones. You’re not helping us,” he lamented.
The Commissioner said this trend does not augur well for the IEBC, saying the move is possibly informed by fear that new voters may not vote for them in the upcoming 2027 General Election.
He said voters who are moved to register in areas where they don’t come from become a source of violence in polling stations during voting because voters know each other.
He said although Kakamega County is leading in voter registration in Western region and third nationally, IEBC may not get the projected numbers if the trend continues.
Western Regional Commissioner (RC) Macharia Irungu said that the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) will mobilise all National ID cards that are lying uncollected at various Registrars of Persons’ offices and send them to chiefs for onwards delivery to the applicants.
He said this will ensure the applicants register as voters.
He said that the county security committee will meet with elected leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how to boost the ongoing voter listing and emerging security issues.
The RC sounded a warning to goons being hired by politicians to cause mayhem at political gatherings, saying they will be dealt with firmly.
“Goons are criminal gangs and they will not be tolerated. The government will deal firmly with those causing mayhem in public functions in the region,” he warned.
by George Kaiga
