The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched a voter registration drive in Vihiga County, targeting to register 35,354 new voters within a 30-day period.
Speaking during the launch held in Mbale town on yesterday, Vihiga County Election Manager Hudson Salenoi confirmed that the exercise is being conducted across all the 25 wards in the county. He noted that each ward has been equipped with 75 Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits to facilitate a smooth and efficient process.
Salenoi said the registration exercise will run for the next 30 days, since the commission has already recorded significant progress under the Continuous Voter Registration programme, with 5,000 people registered so far, representing 52 per cent of the targeted number.
“So far, the process is moving swiftly, especially in Emuhaya Constituency where we have recorded the highest number of 1,491 continuous voter registrations due to the mop-up exercise,” said Salenoi.
He further credited the Tuko Kadi youth initiative for playing a key role in mobilizing young people to participate in the registration process, particularly through outreach efforts in local communities.
Salenoi also revealed that he had held a consultative meeting with Vihiga County Commissioner Peter Mwangi Maina, five Deputy County Commissioners, and the County Registrar of Persons. The officials assured him that all sub-counties are fully operational and supportive of the exercise.
He urged youths to collect their national identification cards from registration offices, noting that many IDs remain unclaimed, which hinders eligible citizens from registering as voters.
The election manager emphasized that IEBC has deployed officers and resources across villages, markets, and institutions to ensure accessibility of services. He added that the exercise also allows for transfer of polling stations and correction of voter details where necessary.
Salenoi called on all stakeholders, including youth groups, church members, and boda boda operators, to actively participate in the exercise, stressing that voter registration is a civic duty crucial to strengthening democracy.
By Florence Oteng’o & Maureen Imbayi
