Kenya has added more than 1.8 million new voters to the national register following the conclusion of a 30-day nationwide exercise, according to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which ended in April 2026, drew significant public participation across the country, with long queues reported in major urban centres including Nairobi as well as rural registration points.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Erastus Ethekon praised Kenyans for turning out in large numbers, describing the response as a strong affirmation of democratic engagement.
“I sincerely thank everyone who turned out to register as voters and take part in shaping the future of our nation,” he said.
The commission had set a target of registering 2.5 million new voters under the theme Deepening democracy in Kenya through inclusive voter registration. While the final tally fell short of that goal, officials say the outcome remains a significant milestone.
Data released on 24 April 2026 shows registrations surged by 505,344 in the final six days of the exercise, rising from 1,370,930 recorded on 17 April 2026.
The voter registration process is anchored under Article 38 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan citizen the right to make political choices, including the right to vote. Ethekon said registration remains the gateway to participation in the electoral process.
Regional performance and youth turnout
Nairobi County recorded the highest number of new registrations at 209,965, reflecting strong urban turnout largely driven by young voters. Kiambu followed with 97,557 registrations, while Nakuru recorded 81,166.
Other counties with notable figures included Kakamega at 80,711, Machakos at 65,616 and Meru at 56,486. Kilifi registered 54,171 while Kisii recorded 50,551, pointing to strong participation in coastal and western regions.
Turkana registered 50,310 voters, highlighting growing engagement in areas that have historically recorded lower participation in national exercises.
At the lower end, Lamu recorded 8,345 new voters, followed by Isiolo at 9,291, Mandera at 14,946, Samburu at 17,361 and Nyamira at 17,575.
A significant portion of the new registrants were young people, many of whom faced delays in obtaining national identity cards, a key requirement for voter registration.
Despite efforts to fast-track production of identity cards, the delays affected turnout in some areas, particularly among first-time voters. However, the final figures indicate sustained interest among youth in civic participation.
In addition to new registrations, the commission reported 159,410 voter transfers and 2,817 updates to personal records during the same period, reflecting ongoing adjustments within the register.
The commission said it will continue refining the voter roll ahead of upcoming electoral processes, including verification and clean-up of records to improve accuracy.
Observers say while the numbers reflect strong public response, more efforts are needed to reach marginalised communities and ensure broader inclusivity in future exercises.
