Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Dr Alutalala Mukhwana has called on political leaders and stakeholders in Busia County to step up efforts in mobilising residents to register as voters during the ongoing enhanced continuous voter registration exercise.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Busia, Dr Mukhwana emphasised the urgency of the exercise, noting that the Commission will not extend the registration period.
He urged eligible residents to take advantage of the remaining time and register in large numbers.
“Busia County is currently at only 40 percent of the target of 47,540 voters, yet more than half of the registration period is already gone. This clearly shows that we need to intensify our efforts if we are to achieve the set target,” he said.
To enhance accessibility, the Commissioner noted that IEBC has decentralized the process by deploying at least three KIMS kits in every ward, allowing residents to register conveniently from any location.
He added that registration centers have also been set-up in institutions and busy public areas such as markets, to ensure no eligible voter is left out.
“We have brought registration services closer to the people. With KIMS kits available in every ward and registration ongoing in institutions and marketplaces, there should be no reason for eligible citizens not to register,” he explained.
However, despite these efforts, Dr. Mukhwana expressed concern over what he termed as inadequate support from local leaders, saying their involvement is critical in driving grassroots mobilization.
“Leaders from all spheres of leadership must come out and support this process. Political leaders, in particular, have large followings, and their influence can significantly boost voter turnout. Their active participation will help us reach many more people at the grassroots,” he said.
He further called on residents of Western region to take advantage of their numerical strength by registering in large numbers, noting that voter registration is key to influencing national development and resource allocation.
“Elections are a fundamental democratic process through which citizens exercise their rights. It is also through voting that regions can leverage their population numbers to influence resource allocation. Western Kenya has a large population, and we want to see that reflected in voter registration and eventual voter turnout,” he added.
At the same time, Dr. Mukhwana raised concern over the growing spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially through social media platforms, warning that such trends could undermine public trust in institutions.
“We are experiencing serious challenges related to misinformation due to increased access to digital platforms. As we encourage the use of technology, we also urge citizens to verify information from official IEBC communication channels before sharing. Spreading false information can weaken institutions and, ultimately, the state,” he cautioned.
Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma also expressed concern over the low voter registration turnout in the county, urging residents to turn up in large numbers and register in order to actively participate in the democratic process.
“As a County, we have not been performing well in voter registration. The only way we can elect leaders who will effectively represent our interests and champion our development agenda is by ensuring that we are registered voters and that we participate in elections,” he said.
The Governor revealed that his Administration will work closely with IEBC to boost the exercise through coordinated mobilization efforts across the County.
He noted that Sub-county Administrators, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), and other stakeholders will be engaged to reach more residents.
“We are going to partner with IEBC by utilizing our local administrative structures, including Sub-county administrators and Community Health Promoters to mobilize residents. We will also target institutions such as schools and social gatherings, to ensure we reach as many eligible voters as possible,” he said.
Otuoma also highlighted challenges faced by residents in acquiring the National Identity Cards, particularly in border areas, noting that the vetting process often delays issuance and locks out many potential voters.
“As a border County, we face unique challenges in accessing National Identity Cards. While vetting is important for security, the delays it causes often prevent many eligible citizens from registering as voters. We urge IEBC and relevant agencies, to consider these challenges and find ways to ease the process,” he appealed.
Busia County Commissioner Stephen Orinde, in his remarks, urged the youth to take the voter registration exercise seriously, emphasizing that their participation is key to shaping leadership and governance.
“Our voice is strongest at the ballot. That is why we are urging young people to register in large numbers and participate in elections so that they can elect leaders who will champion their rights and address their concerns,” he said.
Orinde also called for enhanced coordination between IEBC and national government administration officers, including the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to facilitate immediate voter registration for individuals, who have just acquired their national identity cards.
“This coordination will ensure that once someone receives their ID, they can register instantly, especially if registration kits are available at chiefs’ and assistant chiefs’ offices. We are also putting in place mechanisms to ensure that uncollected ID cards are distributed to their rightful owners to enable them to register,” he added.
Since the rollout of the enhanced voter registration exercise, Busia County has recorded 19,465 new voters, representing 40 percent of the target of 47,540 set for the 30-day period.
Among the seven constituencies, Teso South is leading with a 52 per cent achievement rate, while Funyula is trailing at 32 per cent, highlighting disparities in uptake across the county.
by Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
