IEBC misses target in first week of listing
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says 229,843 people have registered as voters in first week of mass voter registration exercise against their target.
The Commission’s weekly report revealed that the campaign which began on January 17 missed the target of 1,493,569 voters.
The report also shows Nairobi had the highest number of new registered voters with 19,910 new voters against a target of 178,295 followed by Kiambu in a distant second with 11,642 new voters against a target of 100,670.
Other counties leading in the pack include Kakamega with 9183, Nakuru 8,994, Kilifi 8,654, Mombasa 7,833, Meru 7,424 and Siaya 6260. Lamu, Mandera and Marsabit counties are have registered few new voters as the commission targets to register 6 million new voters out of which 1,159,294 were registered in the first phase of ECVR.
Containment measures IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati says the commission commenced voter registration for citizens residing outside Kenya at embassies, High Commissions and Consulates in United States of America (USA), Qatar, Germany, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda,Burundi, South Sudan and United Kingdom.
He noted that registration for citizens residing in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Canada had not kicked off due to the prevailing Covid-19 containment measures in the two countries.
“The Commission will advise on when the registration exercise shall be conducted in UAE and Canada once the Covid 19 containment measures are eased,” said Chebukati.
Further, he revealed that IEBC received 34,928 requests for transfer and 345 applications for change of particulars.
The exercise of registering citizens residing outside the Country (Diaspora) managed to register 163 new voters as well as 184 requests for transfer and 136 applications for change of particulars.
“The Commission appeals to all citizens who have not registered as voters but are eligible, especially youth who have acquired identity cards, to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
