The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing a crisis of apathy, but its leadership remains outwardly calm. Despite a sluggish start to the continuous voter registration exercise, which has seen only about 200,000 new voters enrolled against a target of millions, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon insists there is no cause for alarm. "We are not worried because of the low numbers," he declared, shrugging off concerns that the youth have disengaged from the democratic process.

Speaking at a prayer breakfast meeting, Ethekon framed the low turnout not as a failure, but as a preliminary phase. He argued that the current continuous registration at the constituency level is low-key by design and that the real numbers will come when the commission shifts gears. "Our plan is to roll out a mass voter registration in March, and through that, we will set up registration centres in every village," he promised. This "village-level" strategy is the commission's silver bullet to hit the ambitious target of 6.3 million new voters before the 2027 General Election.

The Digital Pivot

To court the elusive Gen Z demographic, the IEBC is also betting big on technology. Ethekon announced the imminent launch of a digital pre-registration platform. "We are introducing a digital platform where you have a link, a pre-registration form, you can fill all your details, and all you need to do is walk into the nearest Huduma or registration centre and give your fingerprints," he explained. This hybrid model aims to reduce the friction of registration, making it as easy as signing up for a social media account—at least until the biometric capture stage.

However, the optimism masks deep structural challenges. The commission is grappling with budget constraints that threaten to cripple its mobilization efforts. Ethekon admitted that without adequate funding, reaching vulnerable populations and those in media-dark areas will be impossible. "Without these budgets, we will be incapacitated," he warned, a sobering caveat to his confident demeanor.

• The Status: Only ~200,000 new voters registered so far.
• The Plan: Mass voter registration drive in March 2026 at the village level.
• The Innovation: A new digital portal for pre-registration to attract youth.

As the clock ticks towards 2027, the IEBC is racing against time and apathy. Ethekon's confidence will be tested in March. If the mass drive fails to ignite enthusiasm, the "we are not worried" stance may quickly turn into panic.