IEBC rejects allegations of illegal voter registration

The IEBC has dismissed claims that there is a plan to register foreigners or illegally move voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The commission responded after a KTN teaser alleged that voter registration materials were being taken to Uganda. The report placed the Swam border area in Trans Nzoia County at the centre of the allegations and mentioned several politicians.

In a September 27 statement, the IEBC said the claims had not been supported by evidence. “The stories on electoral malpractice or illegality relating to the registration of voters, illegal transfers of voters and alleged registration of foreigners as voters in Kenya and abroad remain unsubstantiated and untrue,” the Commission said.

The commission said voter registration is being conducted in all 290 constituencies according to the Constitution and electoral laws. It said registration is only done in gazetted centres by trained officers under the supervision of Registration Officers.

IEBC said it has no role in issuing identity cards or passports. “In addition, IEBC does not issue National IDs or Kenyan passports. These functions fall within the mandate of the relevant State Agencies responsible for identification, citizenship and immigration.”

The claims have added to concerns raised by opposition leaders about voter registration in counties near the Uganda border. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has repeatedly raised the matter, while Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi asked the IEBC to summon Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over his remarks on people living along the border.

IEBC said it has safeguards to stop unlawful registration. It said KIEMS kits can only work in authorized electoral areas and can only be activated by Registration Officers. Trained Registration Clerks can operate the kits using unique passwords given by Registration Officers. The clerks are assigned to specific areas, and registration is limited to gazetted centres.

The commission also denied that any KIEMS equipment had been taken to unauthorized locations or neighbouring countries. “No KIEMS Kit has been misplaced or reported missing, intercepted or unlawfully moved to unauthorised places or foreign destinations.”

IEBC said kits used during the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise between March 30 and April 28, 2026, were kept at designated police stations or IEBC offices before being returned to its warehouses. The commission also said Kenyans living in Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan still have the constitutional right to vote. It said it is gradually expanding diaspora voter registration.

IEBC asked the public, media houses and political groups to submit any evidence of wrongdoing for investigation.