Massive turnout as Kenyans rush to beat voter registration deadline

By Bryan Tumwa and Kenan Miruka

Religious Clerks of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have experienced massive turnout on the eve of the voter registration deadline.

The registration clerks in Kakamega town said the numbers shot up significantly in a last-minute rush for voters to register.

Muliro Gardens and Jamia Mosque centres have recorded the largest turnout.

Long queues were witnessed at registration centres in Kakamega town and Lurambi Constituency. The clerks, however, say the numbers would have been higher had the commission allowed all eligible voters to register regardless of whether they had legitimate national identity cards or waiting cards.

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“Very many people have come to register but we have turned a huge number away because they either possessed waiting cards or expired passports,” said Robert Muyenze, a clerk stationed at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega.

Ramadhan Saidi, a clerk at Jamia Mosque registration centre said the numbers had increased drastically because of the last-minute rush.

“Some have told us they are waiting for last minute while others say there will be an extension at the end so they did not see the need to do it earlier. But so far, we have been recording unusually high numbers as we approach the final hours of the process,” said Saidi.

And with a day to go before the conclusion of the voter enlisting exercise, leaders in Kisii County were yesterday engaged in last-ditch efforts to ensure more eligible locals take part in it.

Public Works Minister Chris Obure led a team of ODM Mashinani leaders in a series of roadshows to encourage residents to register as voters in order to elect leaders of their choice in the next polls.

The team that included former Permanent Secretary James Ongwae addressed residents at Keumbu, Keroka, Masimba and Nyamasibi trading centres and urged them to exercise their constitutional right by registering.

Lowest figures

“We are here to campaign for the Cord coalition but our objectives shall not be realised if we do not register as voters. Let us register in order to push Prime Minister Raila Odinga to State House,” urged Mr Obure.

Separately, Constitution Implementation Committee (CIC) Chairman Charles Nyachae and Communication Assistant Minister Simon Ogari camped in Bomachoge Chache and South Mugirango constituencies that have recorded the lowest voter numbers in Kisii County, with only 51 per cent having been registered by Saturday.

Mr Nyachae expressed concern over the low figures and told residents that full implementation of the Constitution would not be realised if Kenyans fail to register and elect good leaders. “To bring meaningful change, we have to register as voters. Those who have registered should be our ambassadors. We need 80 per cent and above registration,” he said.