By Lilian Mutua

As the deadline for the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise approaches, efforts to boost voter turnout have intensified in Kakamega County, with stakeholders emphasising the need for inclusive participation and coordinated action ahead of the April 28, 2026, deadline.

IEBC Commissioner Dr Alutalala Mukhwana led an engagement with stakeholders in Kakamega, underscoring the importance of civic participation in the electoral process. He reminded residents that elections are fundamentally driven by citizen involvement, urging all eligible voters to register in time.

“Anyone who does not participate leaves it to others to make decisions on their behalf,” he noted, encouraging citizens to take ownership of their democratic rights and make informed choices.

Dr. Mukhwana also called on security and administrative teams to ensure a peaceful environment during the exercise, while commending Kakamega for its strong performance as one of the leading counties in voter registration across Western Kenya.

He further urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing ward-level registration, warning that services will revert to constituency offices after the deadline.

Representing the Kakamega County Government, CECM Mophat Mandela reaffirmed the county’s support for the exercise, pledging continued collaboration with IEBC to meet and surpass registration targets.

County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha also assured full administrative and security backing, emphasising neutrality, coordination, and grassroots mobilisation to ensure no eligible voter is left behind.

Key concerns raised during the engagement included over 5,000 uncollected national ID cards, prompting calls for stronger collaboration between relevant agencies to ensure IDs reach their rightful owners, particularly among the youth. Stakeholders also emphasised the need for inclusive registration, especially for Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable groups.