Here’s Why Kenyans Are Not Turning Up for the Ongoing Voter Registration

Despite the ongoing voter registration exercise launched on October 4^th, Kenyans are turning out in low numbers as witnessed in various registration centers across the country.

Many people are still reluctant to go for the registration terming it as a waste of time. It’s not surprising how Kenyans have grown dismissive of important issues such as elections.

The exercise that is set to run for thirty days, targets to enroll 6 million new voters, who have attained 18 years and have acquired national identification cards or have valid passports or other citizens who were not registered in the previous drives.

According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Voter Registration drives a key step in the roadmap to the 2022 General Election.

It will be followed by cleaning of the register before the Commission competitively procures an independent firm to audit the register, verify and certified it for use in the Election.

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IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Monday said that the exercise will be conducted in all 1,450 County Assembly Wards with a few exceptions.

Kiagu ward in Central Imenti, Nguu/Masumba ward in Kibwezi West, and Mahoo ward in Taveta constituency are the exceptions since they shall hold by-elections later this year.

The exercise will be conducted in the 27,241 gazetted registration centers countrywide that include the 52 Huduma centers.

Kit movement within the County Assembly Ward will be agreed on in consultation with relevant stakeholders during the ECVR period.

From 2018 to 31st August 2021 the Commission has registered a total of 180,938 new voters. These low numbers are the reason IEBC on Monday rolled out ECVR2021 at the County Assembly wards level to enable as many people as possible to turn out for the exercise.

This, however, is not proving a success as most Kenyans have given the issue a blind eye and assumed the exercise,

Some go ahead to say that they will never vote again, so there is no need for registering as a voter citing that the voting process in Kenya has no meaning since most of the time the results don’t mount their ballot choice.

Another worrying issue concerning the same is the transfer of registration details at the IEBC constituency offices.

The already angry Kenyans who wish to transfer their registration details feel like it should be done at the voting areas instead of the long process to constituency offices where most people will not be able to go.

IEBC has however urged citizens to unconditionally embrace the exercise which will amount to peaceful elections & shun violence that is retrogressive to our economic growth and social cohesion.

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Elections should serve as an opportunity for us to debate & synthesize the best ideas and strategies for nation-building.

The Kenyan voters remain the most important stakeholder in the Election Process and IEBC invites all of you to walk with them in their onward march to a stronger democracy.

George Natembeya on Monday assured the citizens that  Vetting of new ID applicants from border counties will be done quickly and Government will facilitate youth to get IDs as soon as possible. This will allow them to take part in the registration process since they are the majority of the population.

The IEBC maintained that the 2022 General Election will be held on August 9, despite a section of politicians calling for a postponement of the polls due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Not casting your vote means that you will be letting others choose their leader and not your leader. Your one vote can make a difference.