Ensure integrity of voter register, IEBC told

IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon. March 25, 2025. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Legislators have accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of irregular registration and transfer of voters, further putting into question the integrity of the voter register ahead of next year’s General Election.

MPs Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), North Horr’s Adhe Wario Guyo and David Gikaria of Nakuru Town told the National Assembly some of their constituents had been registered in far-flung areas without their knowledge, while others had not enlisted because their Maisha cards had been confiscated.

Mwenje cited examples of voters in his area who had been transferred to voting stations in Ijara, Balambala and Bula without their knowledge. He warned that if such issues were left unaddressed, they would lead to electoral disputes.

“I am not accusing anyone in the commission individually, but someone is meddling in the process. This issue cuts across several constituencies and must be investigated and addressed,” said Mwenje.

Gikaria said that young people in his constituency, who were seeking to be registered as voters, had allegedly been denied the opportunity to do so using their Maisha card numbers.

The MPs’ sentiments sparked concern from other members who suspected foul play ahead of the high-stakes polls.

Constitutional requirements

Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo claimed that non-citizens were being facilitated to acquire identification documents and subsequently registered as voters in border constituencies. He said groups of people were being transported into parts of Busia County and issued with identification documents despite not meeting constitutional requirements for such.

He said such acts erode the electoral integrity and are a threat to national security.

Tetu’s Geoffrey Wandeto called for thorough investigations into the claims, warning that electoral disputes had previously thrust the country into political chaos. “When we hear of voters being transferred against their wishes or finding themselves registered where they did not wish to be, it is an issue that requires thorough investigation,” he said.

But in response, IEBC, in a statement to Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chair George Murugara, dismissed claims that holders of Maisha cards were being denied voter registration in Nakuru Town East.

False claims

“The Commission recognises the Maisha card as an identification document and confirms the voter registration system fully supports it,” Murugara said, adding that claims that those born from 2004 onwards could not register as voters were untrue.

The electoral agency subsequently challenged MP Gikaria to provide specific cases of Maisha cardholders who had allegedly been turned away from registration centres.

The commission also said that illegal voter transfers were virtually impossible because the process requires the physical presence of the voter and biometric verification.

“That’s insulting. It makes me look like I'm guessing what I raised,” Mwenje told the House and named affected individuals.

Muruguara urged MPs to obtain evidence for their claims.