The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has asked Parliament for Sh100 million to fund a media campaign aimed at registering 6.3 million new voters for the upcoming Mass Voter Registration.
The commission in its supplementary budget request to the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee says the money will go towards the 30 days exercise that kicks off on March 30, 2026.
“The commission is projecting to commence Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration from March 30, 2026 for a period of 30 days with intensified stakeholder engagement and expanded logistical requirements for the exercise,” the commission told the committee on Wednesday.
The 2.5 million new voters over the next 30 days according to the commission is grounded on demographic realities, particularly the large cohort of youth who have attained voting age since the last mass registration cycle.
The Commission projects a register of at least 6.3 million new voters to hit its projected target of 28.5 million voters in for the 2027 General Election.
The commission is facing a daunting task of bringing on board new voters, especially the young people who in the past have shunned the exercise.
Through aggressive campaigns and creation of awareness, the commission told MPs that they expect to meet their target if they are given the money.
This comes as the latest data indicates that the commission has only registered a paltry 216,924 new voters in the last six months in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) done at the constituency level.
Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Kitui and Machakos are among the leading counties that have recorded the highest number of new voters, according to the latest data from the commission.
According to the information which captures the new voters as at February 28, Nairobi has registered 40, 388 new voters, followed by Kiambu with 17, 360, Mombasa County has 12,477, Kitui 10,115 while Machakos has 10,080 new entrants into the voting register.
IEBC voter registration in Mvita, Mombasa County on October 23, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation
Other counties that have recorded significantly high new voters include Meru 7,783, Murang’a 7,543 Nakuru 7,403, Kakamega 7,239, Kisii 6,273, Bungoma 5,430, Kilifi 5,298, Kisumu 4,990, Vihiga 4,500, Homa Bay 4, 230 Busia 4,157, while Siaya County has managed to register 4,124.
According to the data, Makueni County has 3,724 new voters, Trans Nzoia 3,143, Uasin Gishu 3,203, Kajiado 3,019 Migori 3,237while Nyamira has recorded 3,497 new voters in the last six months.
The information shows that Nyeri 2,972, Bomet 2, 915, Kwale 2,693, Taita Taveta 2,554, Kirinyaga has 2,241, Embu 2,080, Nandi 2,028, Laikipia 2,055 while Bomet 2,915 as new voters.
IEBC officials register a youth at the Nakuru Town-East constituency offices on September 29, 2025 during the start of the continuous voter registration drive.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Kericho County according to the data has so far managed to register 1,917, Wajir 1,706 new voters, Tharaka Nithi, 1, 675, Garissa 1,581, Turkana 1,308 Mandera 1,197, Marsabit 1,113, Nyandarua 1,741, West Pokot 1,273 while Narok has recorded 1,758,
Other counties such as Samburu have 889 new voters, Lamu 640, Elgeyo Marakwet 466, Isiolo 397, Tana River 254, Baringo coming last with only 252 new registered voters.
The Continuous Voters Registration was launched by the commission last year in September in line with its constitutional mandate under Article 88(4) of the Constitution.
During the launch, the commission chairperson Erastus Ethekon termed the exercise as a vital step in ensuring that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to participate in shaping the country’s future through democratic elections.
“It is particularly directed towards young people who have recently attained 18 years, and all citizens who have not yet registered or need to update their voter information,” Mr Ethekon said.
“Eligible Kenyans may register at any IEBC Constituency Office, except in areas currently with by-elections. Services available include new voter registration, transfer of voter registration to a new location, correction or update of voter details, and inspection of voter registration status,” he added.
