With the voter registration exercise having kicked off, politicians and human rights bodies are urging Kenyans to come out in large numbers to register as voters.
The move they said will enable them to make proper political decisions in the next year General Election.
Already, a group of local leaders from Kilifi county has launched a campaign to sensitize residents to register in the ongoing mass voter registration exercise following the low turnout of people being witnessed.
The leaders from Malindi led by Amina Mnyazi a political leader said their aim is to ensure everyone in Kilifi county and the country at the large register so as to be able to vote in the oncoming general elections.
Ms Mnyazi together with other leaders said those without Identity cards particularly in Malindi should take advantage of the mass registration to exercise their rights.
She spoke at Mkaomoto Primary school in Malindi after launching construction of the headteacher’s office and commissioning a borehole as her personal donation. She said that they have liaised with IEBC to ensure that they mobilize locals and take registration clerks at different points.
The politician, who is eyeing the Malindi parliamentary seat to replace Aisha Jumwa, said she has held talks with Nyumba 10 elders and village elders to ensure those without voters cards register as votes.
“I urge people to register now those who have not yet done so because that is what will decide your political destiny in the 2022 General elections there for your vote is your life,” she said.
The political leader said some people have given up on voting but urged them not to give up particularly the youth as it is their constitutional right to vote.
She said the project she launched was important for the school as it had a shortage of offices despite having a high population of teachers and students who are over 1,000 pupils.
“Today we came to lay the foundation for the construction of the office of the headteacher, and if there are other donors and well-wishers they can come in and come to help in the development of the school,” she said.
Another political activist Pricilla Kanze said she has been visiting churches to sensitized them to ensure those who are not yet registered do so to be able to elect their leaders of choice in 2022.
She said it will be wrong if people shout at political aspirants yet they are not registered as voters as it will not make any impact on their livelihoods.
“By registering as voters it will enable you to get a chance to choose the leader that you want during the elections,” she said.
Ms Kanze said she has also sensitized youth, women groups, and village elders to ensure they turn out in large numbers to register.
Former Ganda ward MCA Stephen Mlanda urged people not to ignore the exercise as it is what will enable one to vote.
Mr Mlanda said as leaders, they have begun working hand in hand with IEBC officials so as to reach out to areas that are not accessible and urged fellow leaders to join hands so as to ensure all people are registered.
