Mandera Deputy Governor Dr. Ali Maalim has called on residents of Northern Kenya to register as voters, saying higher voter registration will strengthen the region’s political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of a school in Mandera, Dr. Maalim urged all eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise being conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
He appealed to residents of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River and Turkana counties to register in large numbers, saying the pastoralist region must fully demonstrate its electoral strength.
“We want everybody to take advantage of the voter registration exercise. I urge all the people of Mandera and Northern Kenya to ensure they register as voters. As pastoralist communities, we must demonstrate our numbers and ensure our voices are heard,” said Dr. Maalim.
The Deputy Governor said increased voter registration would enhance the region’s voice in national decision-making and ensure its interests are well represented in future political processes.
Dr. Maalim also reaffirmed his political support for President William Ruto, saying the region remained firmly behind the Head of State ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Our direction is very clear. We are supporting President William Ruto, and we are not wavering on that position,” he said.
His remarks come as the IEBC continues with Voter Registration exercise across the country to enlist new voters before the next General Election.
According to IEBC statistics, 97,859 new voters have been registered across the North Eastern region during the exercise. Garissa leads with 24,575 new voters, followed by Marsabit (23,267), Wajir (21,171), Mandera (18,214) and Isiolo (10,632).
Nationally, the commission has registered 2,345,476 new voters during the 30-day mass voter registration campaign, bringing the total number of newly registered voters since continuous registration resumed in September 2025 to 2,612,725.
The IEBC, together with political leaders and civic organisations, continues to encourage eligible Kenyans, especially youth and first-time voters, to register and participate in the country’s democratic process.
By Adan Mohamed
