Nyamira County has recorded a strikingly low voter registration, with only 18 new individuals enlisting since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commenced its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Friday, September 29, 2025. This figure places Nyamira at the bottom nationally, as overall new voter registrations across Kenya remain significantly below target.

The IEBC's update, released on Friday, October 10, 2025, revealed that a total of 20,754 new voters have been registered nationwide by Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Additionally, 3,207 voters have transferred their polling stations, and 61 have updated their details.

Historical Context and Policy

The Continuous Voter Registration exercise was launched by the IEBC in preparation for the 2027 General Elections, with a national target of 6.3 million new voters. This initiative is mandated by Article 88(4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which requires the Commission to maintain an accurate and up-to-date register of voters.

Despite the constitutional imperative and the IEBC's efforts, including the deployment of Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits and voter education programmes, turnout remains a persistent challenge. Previous elections, such as the 2022 General Election, also saw low youth participation, with only 39.84% of registered voters being youth, a decline of 5.17% from 2017. This was attributed to a perception that votes do not count, a lack of trust in the political system, and challenges like unemployment and poverty.

Stakeholder Concerns and Data

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has acknowledged the low turnout, particularly among the targeted youth, urging all eligible Kenyans to register to ensure their voices are heard in the 2027 polls. The Commission aims to enlist 70% of its 6.3 million new voter target from the youth demographic. Civil society groups and community-based organisations have been engaged in consultative meetings with the IEBC to address these areas of mutual interest and collaboration.

Nairobi County leads in new registrations with 4,804 voters, followed by Mombasa with 1,379, and Kiambu with 1,203. In contrast, several counties recorded fewer than 100 new registrations, including Tana River (42), Lamu (36), Isiolo (81), Tharaka Nithi (70), Samburu (67), and Elgeyo Marakwet (75).

Risks and Implications

The low voter registration numbers, especially among the youth, could have significant implications for the legitimacy and representativeness of future elections. A continued trend of low youth engagement could lead to a political landscape that does not adequately reflect the aspirations of a significant portion of the Kenyan population, given that approximately 75% of the country's population is under 35 years old.

Unanswered Questions

While the IEBC has highlighted the low youth turnout, the specific reasons for the current apathy in Nyamira and other low-performing counties require further investigation. Understanding local dynamics, such as accessibility of registration centres, targeted voter education campaigns, and community engagement strategies, could provide crucial insights.

What to Watch

The IEBC continues its CVR exercise across all 290 constituency offices, with the exception of 24 electoral areas where by-elections are scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, 2025. Kenyans are encouraged to visit their nearest constituency office or Huduma Centre to register, transfer, or update their details. The Commission has also been recruiting temporary staff for the exercise, with an application deadline of Thursday, October 16, 2025.