The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed rumours circulating in media with regard to the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, terming the communications ‘misleading and unverified information’.
The Commission emphasized that the current registration drive is lawful and a fulfillment of their constitutional mandate, aimed at preparing for the 2027 General Election.
In a bid to combat disinformation and restore public confidence, the IEBC, through its Chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, explicitly debunked several persistent allegations, including claims of illegal voter transfers, the registration of foreigners, and the mishandling of electoral materials.
The Commission vehemently denied alleged malpractice, as it expressed grave concern over sensationalized reports from various media outlets and social platforms suggesting electoral irregularities.
“To date, no entity, organization, group, or individual has submitted to the Commission any credible evidence supporting allegations of illegality and malpractice,” stated Ethekon in a press statement.
The Chairperson reiterated that stories concerning the illegal registration of foreigners or unauthorized transfers of voters are unsubstantiated.
He stressed that while it welcomes credible evidence of wrongdoing, the Commission has yet to receive any.
However, Ethekon warned that where such evidence is presented, appropriate disciplinary action, criminal investigations, and prosecutions will be undertaken in accordance with Kenyan law.
Regarding the clarification on mandates, including IDs and passports, the Chairperson highlighted that a significant portion of the misinformation addressed by the IEBC concerns the issuance of National Identity Cards and passports.
He clarified that under Article 88 of the Constitution, the Commission’s mandate is strictly limited to the registration of eligible Kenyan citizens, who already possess valid National IDs and passports.
“Any association or references to IEBC in relation to the issuance of IDs or passports is factually incorrect, malicious, and intended to misinform,” Ethekon cautioned.
Therefore, the Chairperson directed that these functions fall solely under the mandate of relevant state agencies responsible for identification, citizenship, and immigration.
Regarding the logistics of the CVR, which began on September 29, 2025, across all 290 constituencies, Ethekon detailed the rigorous administrative and technological safeguards in place to maintain Operational Integrity and Safeguards.
Providing assurance for controlled equipment, he affirmed that all KIEMS (Key Information Management System) kits are commission assets and are secured at designated police stations or IEBC offices when not in use.
Insisting that there are no missing kits, the Chairperson, while addressing rumors about equipment being found in unauthorized locations or foreign jurisdictions, categorically stated, “No KIEMS kit has been misplaced or reported missing” and that all equipment remains under exclusive control.
On Strict Access Protocols, Ethekon stressed that only gazetted Registration Officers can delegate operational access to clerks, via unique passwords in addition to Registration being restricted exclusively to gazetted centers.
The Chairperson highlighted that since the new commissioners took office, the CVR has successfully registered over 2.6 million new voters, thanks to partnerships with civil society, religious groups, universities, and community leaders.
On Diaspora Voting Expansion, Ethekon also clarified procedures regarding Kenyans living abroad. Contrary to claims of a ‘surreptitious process,’ he described diaspora registration as a constitutionally mandated function.
“While registration was initially limited during the 2013 elections, it expanded to 12 countries by 2022,” announced the Chairperson, adding that for the upcoming 2027 General Election, the IEBC plans to expand this scope to 26 countries.
He confirmed that enhanced registration for the diaspora will be conducted through the upcoming Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration Phase II (ECVR II), following strict legal frameworks.
Calling for evidence and warning against misinformation, Ethekon urged stakeholders to distinguish between verified facts and sensationalist claims.
“The Commission cautions against the deliberate dissemination of misinformation calculated to undermine public confidence in the integrity, security, and credibility of Kenya’s electoral processes,” he reaffirmed.
Ethekon emphasized that the IEBC remains open to constructive engagement and encouraged any citizen or institution possessing credible evidence of malpractice to report it promptly.
However, he vowed that the Commission remains steadfast in its duty to deliver a free, fair, transparent, and verifiable electoral process for the 2027 General Election, undeterred by unfounded assertions.
By Michael Omondi
