At least 672 National Identity Cards are lying uncollected at Civil Registration of Persons offices in Mt Elgon, raising fears that hundreds of residents could be locked out of the voter registration exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The unclaimed documents comprise 408 IDs belonging to women and 264 belonging to men, according to Mt Elgon Sub-County Registrar of Persons Brian Bungei.
The revelation comes at a time when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified efforts to expand the voters’ register, with a special focus on youth who have attained 18 years and residents who have recently acquired identification documents.
A National Identity card is a mandatory requirement for voter registration, making the pile-up of uncollected IDs a major setback to efforts to enlist more eligible voters.
With less than a year to the 2027 polls, IEBC officials in Mt Elgon are urging residents who have already obtained their IDs but are yet to register as voters to take advantage of the ongoing continuous voter registration and enlist.
The Mt. Elgon Constituency currently has 90,243 registered voters against a target of 111,000 voters for the 2027 election, according to IEBC data.
This means the constituency must register about 20,757 additional voters to meet its target, a gap that has put the spotlight on young people and other eligible residents who are yet to join the voters’ roll.
Mt Elgon Constituency Returning Officer Judith Losili said continuous voter registration is being conducted at IEBC offices every working day.
She called on residents who have collected their national IDs but have not registered as voters to visit IEBC offices and enroll.
Losili said registration is conducted from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm and that applicants only need to appear in person with their identification cards.
“You are supposed to avail yourself in person and also come with your ID. With those two, you can get registered. Registration is free. There are no charges,” she said.
Losili further appealed to chiefs, assistant county commissioners, and other community stakeholders to intensify mobilization of eligible residents, particularly the youth who have attained voting age.
She said IEBC is prepared to work with local administrators and community leaders to reach potential voters across the constituency’s wards.
The Returning Officer added that IEBC could deploy registration clerks to wards where local stakeholders successfully mobilise a significant number of eligible residents.
She noted that the continued issuance of national identity cards through civil registration offices offers an opportunity to expand participation in the electoral process.
Losili urged local leaders and other stakeholders to work closely with IEBC to identify newly issued ID holders and young people who have attained voting age and encourage them to register.
“We welcome everyone. Let us take advantage of this process so that Kenyans are able to exercise their democratic right next year,” she said.
By Cynthia Kingo
