IEBC Clarifies Voter Registration Directive After Public Uproar
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued a clarification following widespread confusion and concern among Kenyans over reports that citizens who registered as voters before 2012 would be required to register afresh.
The controversy began on April 3, 2026, when messages circulated online urging individuals who had registered as voters prior to 2012 to verify their details and undergo fresh biometric registration.
The directive sparked backlash on social media, with many Kenyans questioning the necessity of re-registering despite the existence of a new voter register established in 2013.
In response to the uproar, the IEBC moved swiftly to clarify its position, emphasizing that not all pre-2012 voters are required to register again. According to the Commission, only those who failed to transition to the biometric voter registration system introduced in 2012 are affected.
“Those who registered before 2012 do not need to register afresh unless they did not enroll under the biometric system introduced after the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010,” the Commission stated.
The IEBC explained that prior to 2012, the Register of Voters (ROV) was maintained manually.
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However, following the adoption of the new Constitution and subsequent electoral reforms, the Commission introduced a biometric system requiring all eligible voters to re-enroll and have their biometric data captured. This updated register has been in use since 2013.
As of the 2022 General Election, the Commission maintained that the biometric register was accurate and had been thoroughly audited, comprising over 22 million voters nationwide.
The clarification reassured the public that the current exercise is only targeting a small number of individuals who may have missed the biometric registration process and have not registered since.
The IEBC urged Kenyans to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation, reiterating its commitment to transparency and inclusivity in the electoral process.
“We have not asked all voters who registered before 2012 to register again. Only those who never transitioned to the biometric system are required to do so,” the statement emphasized.
The Commission also called on citizens to verify information through official channels and participate actively in the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
The clarification comes as the IEBC prepares for upcoming by-elections and continues efforts to strengthen Kenya’s democratic processes under the #YourVoteYourFuture campaign.
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