What You Need to Know
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concerns regarding low voter registration in Homa Bay and Siaya counties. With only eight days left in the registration exercise, Siaya has achieved just 47% of its target. Acting CEO Moses Ledama Sunkuli urged local leaders to implement strategies to boost registration numbers, highlighting the issue of uncollected identity IDs
Africa-Press – Kenya. Homa Bay and Siaya counties are lagging behind in the ongoing voter registration exercise that has so far seen over 1.3 million enlist as voters, acting Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Moses Ledama Sunkuli, has said.
According to Sunkuli, Siaya has so far recorded 47 per cent of its target, with just eight days to the closure of the exercise.
Speaking outside the IEBC offices in Siaya town after meeting the Commission staff, Sunkuli called for concerted efforts by both the political leadership and IEBC to have the County hit its target.
He lamented that though there is a lot of enthusiasm that has seen the Commission hit over 1.3 million new voters, there was concern with the Siaya figures.
“I was in Homa Bay and the same is replicating. We need to push it up also,” he said, adding Migori was, however, doing relatively well.
Sunkuli challenged Siaya leaders to come up with strategies that will enable the county to be counted with the rest of the country in terms of voter registration.
He lamented that many identity cards were lying uncollected at various registration offices, hence affecting the number of registered voters.
“I am told that the uncollected Identity Cards belong to people who applied but left for Nairobi and other towns. I am appealing to them to return and collect them on time,” he said.
Earlier, the IEBC Chief Executive paid a courtesy call on the Siaya County Commissioner, Norbert Jara Komora.
Voter registration is a critical process in Kenya’s electoral system, ensuring that citizens can participate in democratic processes. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) oversees this exercise, which is essential for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date voter roll. Historically, certain regions have faced challenges in achieving registration targets, often due to logistical issues and public awareness. The current situation in Homa Bay and Siaya reflects ongoing efforts to engage communities and improve participation in the electoral process.
