The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will roll out fresh changes in Kenya’s voter registration process, introducing iris scans alongside fingerprints and ID verification.
The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise begins on Monday, 29 September, targeting 6.3 million new voters ahead of the November 27 by-elections and the 2027 General Election.
High-Tech Process
IEBC commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, speaking on Citizen TV, explained that the new measures are designed to eliminate errors and prevent duplicate registrations.
“Details will now be automatically scanned from ID cards, reducing human error. We will also capture iris data for the first time, alongside fingerprints and photos,” he said.
The entire process is expected to take between five and ten minutes, depending on literacy and digital familiarity.
Step-by-Step Registration
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Voters present their ID card to IEBC officers for verification.
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The ID is scanned into a tablet kit, automatically capturing personal details such as ID number, date of birth, gender and serial number.
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Additional information is recorded, including literacy levels and special needs.
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Voters then select their preferred polling stations and wards.
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Finally, biometric identifiers are captured: fingerprints, a passport photo, and iris scans.
More Centres, Shorter Queues
To make registration more accessible, the IEBC will deploy four kits per constituency instead of the usual one or two.
Two will handle standard queues, the third will allow people to register outside their home constituency, and the fourth will be a “Gen-Z friendly” kit, which Mukhwana hinted would soon be unveiled by IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon.
In addition, voter registration will be offered in Huduma Centres nationwide from next week.
Flexibility for Urban Voters
Importantly, Kenyans will no longer need to register where they intend to vote. For example, someone working in Nairobi but planning to vote in their rural home can register in the city and later choose their upcountry polling station.
This change is aimed at accommodating workers and young professionals who may have limited time to travel.
The Bigger Picture
The IEBC hopes the new technology and wider access will encourage millions of young Kenyans to sign up. With the clock already ticking towards 2027, the commission is under pressure to deliver a credible, transparent voter roll.