Low Voter Turnout Blamed on Kenyans’ Last-Minute Culture

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Ann Nderitu has disclosed that the commission has registered only 140,000 new voters so far, falling far short of its ambitious target of 6.8 million.

Nderitu shared the disappointing figures on Thursday, November 20, describing the numbers as disappointing, stressing the urgent need for Kenyans to take voter registration seriously.

“We are at around 140,000. We are still not doing very well, given that we aim to achieve 6.8 million new voters,” she stated.

The IEBC commissioner pinned the blame on Kenyans’ tendency to procrastinate and delay important civic duties until the eleventh hour.

“I don’t think it is the information that is not out there. There is a bad Kenyan culture of waiting until the last minute, you still think there is time, and because it is a continuous voter registration, you just wait,” Nderitu stated.

Geographical challenges also contribute to the slow progress, as some constituencies cover vast areas, forcing potential voters to travel long distances to reach IEBC registration offices. To address this, the commission plans to decentralize the registration exercise and take it closer to communities after the November 27 by-election.

“In some areas, we understand we have to relink to the grassroots, which we shall be doing after the by-election, to reach where the people are. Some constituencies are vast. Currently, we are only registering at the constituency offices,” she added.

Earlier, on November 2, 2025, the IEBC revealed that the continuous voter registration exercise had captured 90,020 new voters since its launch.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon reported that 15,619 individuals had transferred their registration to different polling stations, while 188 voters updated their personal details.

“As of October 31, 2025, the cumulative progress of the ongoing CVR exercise is as follows: Newly registered voters: 90,020; Transfers: 15,619; Updates: 188,” Ethekon stated.

The IEBC Commissioner urged Kenyans to seize the ongoing opportunity and register themselves as voters without further delay.

He also called upon key national institutions to actively mobilize and drive registration campaigns throughout the country.

“The Commission urges all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, faith-based organisations, and the media, to support this national exercise by encouraging eligible citizens to register, verify their details, or transfer to their preferred polling stations,” Ethekon added.

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