The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) denied claims of mass voter registration in parts of northeastern Kenya.
A viral TikTok falsely claimed that Chairperson Erastus Edung had announced plans to register over 3.5 million voters in Northeastern Kenya.
As per the flagged video, new policies on immigration had allowed for registration of residents in the region as voters.
“IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung has announced that more than 3.5 million people from the Northeastern region will now be registered as voters,” read the fake statement.
Distribution of Northeastern Votes
Northeastern covers a geographical scope of three (3) Counties—namely, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.
According to the register of voters for the 2022 General Election, Garissa had 201,473 registered voters, while Wajir and Mandera had 207,758 and 217,030 registered voters, respectively.
In a move to ensure equity among citizens of Kenya, President William Ruto signed a decree ending years of State discrimination in the issuance of the vital documents.
On February 5, 2025, during a Presidential Proclamation on the registration and issuance of IDs in border counties, President Ruto described the practice as unjust and discriminatory. The decree announced the ending vetting requirements for citizens applying for Kenyan ID.
“If it’s about vetting, let all children of Kenya be vetted equally without any discrimination,” he said.
Newly Sworn in IEBC Commissioners
The reports came days after President William Ruto appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for a six-year term.
The President also appointed six individuals to serve as IEBC commissioners for the same duration namely Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
Also Read: IEBC Elects Fahima Araphat Abdallah as New Vice Chairperson
IEBC Addresses Reports of Deleting 2 million Voters from Register
The commission addressed reports circulating on social media alleging that at least 2 million votes will be removed from the voter register ahead of the next elections.
The reports claimed that the commission would remove over 2 million ghost voters from the register ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Please note that the Commission currently neither has a chairperson nor members,” IEBC stated.
“Therefore, any information circulating on social media is null and void.”
Also Read: IEBC Responds to Reports of Plan to Rig 2027 Elections
What IEBC Needs to Do Before 2027
The new IEBC is now in a rush to clear pending activities including conducting more than 16 by-elections. The seats fell vacant due to deaths, court rulings, and Cabinet appointments.
Additionally, the Commission needs to carry out registration of new voters and confirm or update their details.
IEBC is also required to review and possibly change the boundaries of wards and constituencies based on population changes, as stated in the Constitution.
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