By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
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Kenya, 2 April 2026 - Mandera County has stepped up efforts to enhance voter registration following a high-level stakeholders’ engagement meeting that brought together key partners and the county security team, led by County Commissioner James Chacha.
The meeting focused on addressing the low voter turnout recorded in parts of the county and exploring practical measures to ensure more eligible residents are captured in the ongoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registration exercise.
Speaking during the forum, Commissioner Chacha urged all residents of Mandera, who qualify, to come out in large numbers and register as voters, noting that participation in elections begins with registration.
He further called on local leaders, including chiefs, elders, and opinion leaders, to take a leading role in sensitising communities on the importance of voter registration and guiding residents to their nearest registration centres.
“Leaders at all levels must work closely with communities to ensure no eligible voter is left behind,” he said.
To support the process, the County Commissioner assured IEBC officials that security will be strengthened across all sub-counties to guarantee a peaceful and smooth registration exercise.
He emphasised that the government will not tolerate any disruptions and that all registration centers will be adequately protected.
At the same time, Chacha raised concern over the number of uncollected national identity cards, urging residents who had applied for IDs to collect them without delay, as the document is a key requirement for voter registration.
He also made a special appeal to pastoralist communities who had migrated due to drought, encouraging them to return home following the recent rains and take advantage of the ongoing exercise.
“With the rains now available, we urge our people to come back, settle, and register as voters so that they can have a voice in future leadership,” he added.
IEBC officials present at the meeting highlighted logistical progress made so far, noting that a total of 494 registration centers have been established across the county, supported by 112 KIEMS kits to facilitate efficient service delivery.
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However, despite these efforts, turnout remains below expectations. In the last two days, only 1,145 voters have been registered against a target of 24,755 in the current phase.
The county is now working towards achieving a long-term target of 280,000 registered voters by the year 2027 ahead of the next General Election.
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasized the need for continuous civic education, improved accessibility to registration centres, and enhanced collaboration between government agencies, community leaders, and the IEBC.
They expressed optimism that with intensified awareness campaigns, improved security, and favorable weather conditions, the county will record a significant increase in voter registration in the coming days.
Authorities have reassured residents that the exercise remains open and accessible, calling on all eligible citizens to take advantage of the opportunity and register.