Deep-Seated Apathy and Systemic Hurdles

Speaking on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Anne Nderitu expressed grave concern over the slow pace of voter registration, revealing that the commission is far from achieving its national targets. As of late October, only 90,020 new voters had been registered against a target of 6.8 million, a figure that has since risen to approximately 110,000. Nderitu directly attributed the low numbers to a lack of public enthusiasm, urging Kenyans to register early to avoid a last-minute rush that strains the commission's resources.

The sentiment is echoed by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, who acknowledged that the current figures are not encouraging. This trend points to a deeper issue of voter apathy, particularly among the youth, which threatens to undermine the credibility and participatory nature of the upcoming 2027 General Election. Voter turnout has been on a steady decline, falling from 85.91% in 2013 to 64.7% in 2022, with youth registration showing a notable drop. In the 2022 election cycle, the IEBC targeted six million new voters but only managed to register 2.5 million.

The Youth Question: Disillusionment and Distrust

Kenya's youth, who constitute approximately 75% of the population under 35, represent a potentially decisive electoral bloc, yet their participation continues to wane. In 2022, voters aged 18-34 accounted for just 39.84% of the roll, a 5.27% decline from 2017. This disengagement is not necessarily due to political ignorance but rather a profound cynicism towards the political establishment. Many young people feel their vote does not count, citing unfulfilled campaign promises, endemic corruption, and a political system that seems unresponsive to their economic struggles, such as high unemployment.

This disillusionment is compounded by a significant 'trust deficit' in key democratic institutions. A 2024 Afrobarometer survey revealed that only 36% of Kenyans trust the IEBC, with trust in the president and parliament standing at 45% and 44% respectively. This erosion of faith is a critical factor driving voter apathy, as citizens lose confidence in the ability of elections to bring about meaningful change.

Logistical Barriers and Institutional Challenges

Beyond apathy, significant structural barriers hinder registration. Delays in the issuance of national identity cards—a prerequisite for registration—remain a major impediment. IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan has highlighted this as a key challenge affecting the commission's work. The issue has been so persistent that the Commission on Administrative Justice issued a seven-day ultimatum to the National Registration Bureau in August 2024 to address the backlogs. Concerns have also been raised that such delays could be intentional in certain areas to disenfranchise young voters.

The IEBC's own operational strategy has faced scrutiny. The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has criticized the limited accessibility of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), which is often restricted to constituency offices during working hours, thereby excluding many working citizens. While the IEBC plans to deploy more clerks and establish up to 30,000 registration centres after the November 27 by-elections, the current pace remains alarmingly slow. Furthermore, the introduction of new technologies like iris scanning, while intended to enhance integrity, has sparked public concern over data privacy, potentially deterring some from registering.

Implications for Kenya's Democracy

The combination of low registration, youth disengagement, and institutional distrust poses a serious challenge to Kenya's democratic health. A voter roll that does not accurately reflect the country's demographic reality, particularly its large youth population, raises questions about the legitimacy and representativeness of electoral outcomes. ELOG has repeatedly raised concerns about the integrity of the voter register itself, citing anomalies like duplicate and deceased voters found in previous audits.

As the IEBC continues its registration drive, it faces the dual challenge of overcoming logistical hurdles and, more fundamentally, rebuilding public confidence. Stakeholders, including civil society and political parties, have been urged to mobilize eligible citizens. However, without addressing the root causes of voter apathy—namely, the disconnect between political promises and tangible outcomes—Kenya risks heading into the 2027 election with a deeply cynical and under-engaged electorate, weakening the very foundation of its governance.