Kenyans who registered as voters before 2012 must register afresh to be included in the current biometric register, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon who noted that individuals who had previously enrolled as voters before 2012 are not part of the current biometric RoV unless they subsequently presented themselves for fresh registration.
In a statement, Ethekon clarified that the current biometric Register of Voters (RoV) came into operation in 2012 upon the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010; the enactment of the Elections Act, which introduced biometric voter registration as a key electoral reform measure and boundaries delimitation of 2012.
“Consequently, individuals who had previously enrolled as voters before 2012 are not part of the current biometric RoV unless they subsequently presented themselves for fresh registration. Such persons are, therefore, required to register afresh in order to be included in the current biometric register,” IEBC Chair noted.
344,000 registered in four days
On the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise that was rolled out on March 30, 2026, the Commission noted noted that it has already registered 344,316 new voters in the last four days.
During the four days 18,610 individuals transferred their registration while 329 changed and updated their particulars.
“The Commission’s target for the ECVR exercise is to enlist 2.5 million new voters into the Register of Voters (RoV),” said Ethekon thanking Kenyans who have turned up to register, transfer their registration, or update their particulars.
The Commission clarified that it has deployed open kits, which allow a citizen to register as a voter from any registration center and vote at their preferred polling centre across Kenya therefore no need for an individual to travel to their home county to register.
Transfer of voters
Registered voters wishing to transfer their vote to new polling centers have been asked to present themselves to the receiving Registration Officer of the IEBC Constituency Office in which they wish transfer.
“This is in compliance with Section 7 of the Elections Act, 2012. The law requires a voter must submit their biometrics afresh to the Registration Officer incharge of the Constituency where they plan to transfer to,” noted IEBC.
Adding that: “This process ensures proper verification and confirmation that the transfer request has been made by the voter and nobody else. It also helps eliminate cases of unlawful mass voter transfers not authorized by the voters.”
Similarly, registered voters wishing to update their particulars have also been asked to present themselves at the IEBC Constituency Office where they are registered.
Call to action
IEBC warned that there will be no extension beyond 28th April 2026 and called upon all eligible Kenyans who are yet to register particularly young people, including Gen Z and first-time voters to take advantage of the opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters.
“Our primary mission during this window is simple “kuwakatia KADI” (to ensure you get that voter’s card),” said Ethekon.
Adding that: “Participation in voter registration is a fundamental civic responsibility and a cornerstone of democratic governance. By registering, citizens affirm their role in shaping the leadership and future of the nation.”
Daily registration ongoing
The voter registration is taking place daily, including on public holidays and weekends in 1,450 County Assembly Wards (CAWs), institutions of higher learning, Huduma Centres, the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers, and Constituency Offices.
However, the voter registration is not being conducted in electoral areas with scheduled byelections or ongoing election petitions.
The areas include: Porro CAW, Endo CAW, Emurua Dikirr Constituency, and Ol Kalou Constituency which have scheduled byelections as well as Malava and Mbeere North Constituencies which have election petitions.
IEBC says the voter registration acknowledgement slip, presently referred to as KADI, represents more than proof of registration; it signifies a citizen’s commitment to participate in the democratic process and to hold leadership accountable.
The Commission further encouraged all eligible citizens to support this national exercise by sensitizing and mobilizing their peers, families, and communities to register within the stipulated timelines.
IEBC says the nationwide mass registration drive under the theme ‘Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration’ is a critical milestone as the country gets ready for the 2027 General Elections.
