By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
July 19 2026 - Mandera Deputy Governor Dr. Ali Maalim has called on residents of Mandera and the wider northern Eastern region to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise, saying strong participation will ensure the region's voice is reflected in future elections.
Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of one of the schools in Mandera, Dr. Maalim urged eligible residents to register as voters before the close of the exercise, emphasizing that political participation begins with voter registration.
He appealed to residents across the region, including Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River and Turkana counties, to turn out in large numbers and register.
"We want everybody to take advantage of the voter registration exercise. I urge all the people of Mandera and northern Kenya to ensure they register as voters. As pastoralist communities, we must demonstrate our numbers and ensure our voices are heard," said Dr. Maalim.
The Deputy Governor also expressed his political support for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
"Our direction is very clear. We are supporting President William Ruto, and we are not wavering on that position," he said.
His remarks come after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) concluded the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise.
According to IEBC data, 97,859 new voters were registered across the North Eastern region during the exercise. The county breakdown shows Garissa registered 24,575 new voters, Marsabit 23,267, Wajir 21,171, Mandera 18,214 and Isiolo 10,632.
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The IEBC reported that 2,345,476 new voters were registered nationwide during the 30-day mass registration exercise, while the total number of new voters registered since the resumption of continuous voter registration in September 2025 stands at 2,612,725.
Political leaders and civic organizations have continued encouraging eligible Kenyans, particularly young people and first-time voters, to register, noting that voter registration is a key step in participating in the country's democratic process ahead of the 2027 General Election.