By Joshua Otieno | April 5, 2026
Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has sharply criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its latest voter registration directives, igniting renewed debate over the integrity of the national voter register.
Speaking on April 5, 2026, Wanjigi dismissed the Commission’s push for re-registration of certain voters, arguing that Kenya already completed the transition to a fully biometric system over a decade ago. He pointed to the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system and the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) as having captured all necessary voter data.
He maintained that all eligible voters were registered through these systems ahead of the 2013 and 2017 elections, and that subsequent voters have been enrolled under the same framework, making fresh registration unnecessary.
The IEBC, however, has defended its position as part of the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise launched on March 30, 2026. The Commission insists that individuals registered before the 2012 biometric overhaul, and who have not participated in elections or data verification processes since then, must re-register to be included in the current digital Register of Voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wanjigi’s remarks reflect a growing wave of concern among opposition leaders, including Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa, who have questioned the necessity of the exercise. Critics warn that the requirement could potentially disenfranchise long-standing voters, particularly in rural areas.
As the April 28 deadline for the current registration phase approaches, pressure is mounting on the IEBC to conduct and publish a transparent audit of the existing voter register to justify the need for fresh enlistment.
The unfolding dispute underscores broader concerns about electoral credibility as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
