NAIROBI – Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has registered only 110,000 new voters as of Thursday, November 13, 2025, a figure that represents a mere 1.6% of its 6.8 million target for the upcoming 2027 General Election. The disclosure, made by IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu, highlights a deepening concern over voter apathy, particularly among the nation's youth, who are the primary focus of the ongoing registration drive.

The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which commenced on Monday, September 29, 2025, is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Despite the commission's efforts, the daily registration rate remains critically low. An update from the IEBC on November 3, 2025, confirmed that only 90,020 new voters had been enlisted by the end of October. This sluggish pace suggests a significant disconnect between the electoral body's objectives and the engagement of eligible citizens.

Widespread Apathy and Logistical Hurdles

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has publicly acknowledged the disappointing numbers, attributing the slow uptake to several factors. A key challenge has been the limited access to registration points, with the exercise currently confined to the 290 constituency offices nationwide. This setup poses a logistical and financial barrier for many potential voters, especially those in rural areas who must travel long distances.

Speaking at a youth engagement forum in Mombasa in early November, Ethekon expressed confidence that a planned mass registration drive, set to begin after the November 27 by-elections, would accelerate the numbers. The IEBC plans to deploy clerks to approximately 1,450 wards to bring the service closer to the people.

Analysts and the commission itself have pointed to a broader issue of voter disillusionment. Ethekon has criticised reckless rhetoric from politicians, suggesting it creates an impression that elections are predetermined, thereby discouraging participation. This sentiment is echoed by civil society groups who cite a lack of trust in the political system and persistent unemployment as key drivers of apathy among Gen Z. Furthermore, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan noted that delays in the issuance of national identity cards, a prerequisite for registration, have also contributed to the low numbers.

A Look at the Numbers

The data released by the IEBC reveals significant regional disparities. As of October 31, 2025, Nairobi County led with 16,512 new registrations, followed by Kiambu (9,917), Machakos (4,026), and Mombasa (3,967). In stark contrast, several counties, including Tana River (130), Samburu (319), and Isiolo (312), recorded exceptionally low figures. Earlier in October, Nyamira County reported the lowest turnout with only 18 new registrations in the first two weeks of the drive.

The current registration figures are a far cry from the commission's ambitious goal to expand the voter roll from 22.1 million in 2022 to 28.5 million by 2027. The 6.3 to 6.8 million new voter target was informed by data from the National Registration Bureau on the number of Kenyans who have attained the voting age of 18. The failure to engage this youth demographic was also evident in the run-up to the 2022 elections, when the IEBC registered only 2.5 million new voters against a target of six million.

Implications for 2027

The low registration numbers raise critical questions about the inclusivity and legitimacy of the 2027 electoral outcome. With the youth expected to constitute up to 70% of voters in 2027, their under-registration could significantly alter the political landscape and lead to a government that is not representative of the country's largest demographic. Political analysts warn that this widespread disengagement could lead to a legitimacy crisis for the next administration.

In her appeal on Thursday, Commissioner Nderitu warned Kenyans against waiting for the last minute, a habit that often leads to logistical challenges for the commission. “We are not doing well as a country... Many Kenyans are not coming out to register,” she stated, urging citizens to take advantage of the open registration period at their local constituency offices, which operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.