The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is targeting to register 33,895 new voters in Laikipia West Constituency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The exercise is expected to raise the number of registered voters in the constituency from 118,865 recorded during the 2022 General Election to 152,760 by 2027.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency in her office in Nyahururu, Laikipia West Voter Registration Officer Teresia Mithamo said the overall target includes 3,390 voters, representing 10 per cent, which was to be achieved during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise that began on September 29 last year and concluded recently. She noted that the office managed to register slightly over 1,000 new voters during that period.
Mithamo further stated that the commission is now targeting to register 13,558 voters, representing 40 per cent of the total, during Phase One of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR), which kicked off on Monday and will run for 30 days.
She added that the remaining 50 per cent, approximately 16,948 voters, is expected to be registered during Phase Two of the ECVR exercise scheduled for early next year.
On the ongoing Phase One exercise, Mithamo revealed that the constituency has deployed 42 clerks to operate 21 Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits. Due to the limited number of kits, the commission has developed a movement schedule to reach more residents by taking the kits to markets, chief’s barazas, and other public gathering points across the six wards.
She explained that Salama, Olmoran, and Githiga wards will each receive three kits, while Marmanet, Igwamiti, and Rumuruti Township wards will each be allocated four kits to ensure wider coverage.
Mithamo said the commission is working closely with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), non-state actors, youth and women groups, and other stakeholders. She added that civic education forums are being organized to sensitize residents on the importance of registering as voters.
She commended the youth-led Tuko Kadi initiative for boosting voter registration efforts, urging young people to sustain the momentum and encouraging other groups to support similar initiatives.
The officer also called on political aspirants to support the exercise by mobilizing eligible wananchi to register within the stipulated timelines.
However, she cited several challenges that may affect the exercise, including unpredictable weather patterns such as heavy afternoon rains, logistical difficulties in moving kits across vast wards, and insecurity concerns in some areas of the constituency.
By Kimani Tirus
