By Bonface Mulyungi

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that 875,501 new voters have been registered since the start of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise on March 30, 2026.

In a status update, the commission said the numbers reflect a significant surge in citizen participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new registrations reflect growing public interest in the ongoing exercise, which is scheduled to run until April 28, 2026.

The exercise runs across all 1,450 County Assembly Wards, institutions of higher learning, Huduma Centres, constituency offices, and the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers.

According to the commission, the latest figures show a notable increase in new voters since the last update issued on April 3, signalling strong momentum in the nationwide registration drive.”The number of new registered voters since the beginning of ECVR on 30th March 2026 to 9th April 2026 is 875,501. Therefore, since the last update of 3rd April 2026, the Commission has recorded an increase of 531,185 new voters,” the electoral body said.

IEBC also reported that 49,502 voters have transferred their registration to new polling stations to enhance convenience in future elections, while 1,066 voters have updated or changed their personal registration details.

Nairobi County is leading in new voter registrations with 96,897 voters, followed by Kiambu with 46,265 and Kakamega with 40,110.

The lowest registration numbers were recorded in Lamu with 4,810 voters and Isiolo with 5,379.

The commission attributed the rising numbers to increased civic awareness and stakeholder engagement at national, county, and constituency levels, noting that Kenyans have demonstrated a strong commitment to participating in the democratic process.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon commended citizens for turning out in large numbers to register, describing the response as a demonstration of patriotism and national responsibility.

“The Commission is deeply inspired by the patriotic spirit displayed by Kenyans over the past week. We wish to extend our sincere appreciation and congratulations to the hundreds of thousands of citizens who have stepped forward to claim their right to vote,” the statement read.

The commission emphasised that voter registration is a critical step in strengthening democracy and ensuring accountable leadership, urging eligible Kenyans who have not yet registered to take advantage of the remaining period to enlist as voters.

“As we look toward the 2027 General Election, registering as a voter is the first and most vital step in deepening our democratic roots and ensuring sound leadership for the next generation,” the commission stated.

IEBC further noted that the exercise is being conducted daily, including weekends and public holidays, to maximise accessibility for citizens.

However, the commission raised concerns over isolated incidents where registration staff were attacked during the exercise.

IEBC condemned the incidents and called on security agencies and members of the public to safeguard electoral officials as they carry out their duties.

“The safety of our personnel is paramount, and we urge all Kenyans to protect IEBC officers as they perform this important national duty,” the statement added.

Existing voters were also encouraged to verify their registration details through the commission’s online portal to ensure accuracy in the voter register ahead of future elections.