The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), in partnership with the State Department of Youth Affairs- Kiambu County, is intensifying youth voter registration efforts, ahead of the April 28, 2026 deadline for the first phase of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR).
The exercise, which began on March 30 , 2026, is part of a nationwide voter registration drive, aimed at increasing the number of eligible voters, with a particular focus on young people.
Kiambu County Director for Youth Affairs, John Mwangi, said the joint efforts between county officials, IEBC mobilizers, and community stakeholders, are designed to ensure more youth are reached and encouraged to register.
“Whenever I attend forums bringing together young people, whether organized by the County, IEBC or any other entity, I get an opportunity to challenge the youth to register as voters,” he said.
“In a forum I attended last week organized by IEBC, I got to challenge the youth there. Whenever I can bring together a group of young people together, I sensitize them on voter registration,” he said, adding, youth voting behavior is often influenced by discussions within their families and broader public perceptions about governance.
“When it comes to voter registration, youth are looking at their parents. Everybody is complaining so much, so they develop that lack of interest,” Mwangi said.
Despite these challenges, he said, the ongoing civic education and sensitization efforts by IEBC and government mobilizers are helping improve engagement at the ward level.
Mwangi also confirmed that IEBC is working with mobilizers deployed across all wards to ensure information on voter registration reaches young people more effectively.
“We are collaborating with IEBC who have deployed voter mobilizers in colleges, sports grounds, churches, rural areas, town centres, across the country to sensitize the youth on voter registration,” he said.
According to the Kiambu Constituency IEBC Office, their target for this first phase of ECVR is 9,922 new voters, as part of efforts to expand the voter register ahead of 2027 elections.
The County Youth Director urged eligible youth to take advantage of the remaining registration period before the April 28, deadline, noting that participation in the exercise is key to strengthening democratic processes and representation.
by Rose Muthoni
