The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise enters its third week across the country on Monday October 13th, after officially kicking off two weeks ago, except in counties, constituencies and wards preparing for by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025. The exercise is part of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) effort to ensure all eligible Kenyans are enlisted ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The CVR exercise has been temporarily suspended in areas where by-elections will be conducted later next month. These include various Members of County Assembly (MCA) Wards such as Angata Nanyokie (Samburu County), Chemundu/Kapng’etuny (Nandi County), Chewani (Tana River County), Fafi (Garissa County), Kariobangi North (Nairobi City County), Kisa East (Kakamega County), Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet County), Mumbuni North (Machakos County), Narok Town (Narok County), Purko (Kajiado County), and Tembelio (Uasin Gishu County).

Other areas include Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo Wards in Nyamira County, Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards in Turkana County, the Baringo County Senate seat, and several National Assembly constituencies namely; Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja.

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In Ukambani, only Mumbuni North Ward in Machakos County will hold a by-election, which has quickly turned into a political litmus test for the region’s political direction ahead of 2027. The by-election has set the stage for a fierce political showdown among the major political parties against each other including, Wiper Patriotic Front led by H.E. Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Maendeleo Chap Chap under Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) spearheaded in the region by Hon. Vincent Musyoka Kawaya, the UDA’s National Organizing Secretary.

Despite efforts to mobilize new voters, the IEBC reports that turnout has been disappointingly low nationwide. Several counties have recorded alarmingly small numbers of new registrations since the launch of the exercise. Counties such as Nyamira (18), Lamu (36), Tana River (42), Samburu (67), Tharaka Nithi (70), Elgeyo Marakwet (75), and Isiolo (81) are among the lowest performers so far. The figures have raised concern among political players and civic educators who fear voter apathy could undermine democratic participation in 2027.

Compared to these low-performing counties, the Ukambani region, comprising Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni Counties has recorded a fairly positive turnout in the ongoing registration drive as compared to other several parts of the country. Machakos County leads the region with 923 new registered voters, making it the most active in Ukambani so far. Kitui County, the home turf of Wiper leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, has registered 666 new voters and Makueni County follows with 302 new registered voters. While the numbers are still modest, they reflect a stronger civic response compared to the lowest-performing counties.

Elsewhere, counties such as Nairobi (4,804), Mombasa (1,379), and Kiambu (1,203) have recorded the highest number of new registered voters after the second week. These figures demonstrate a higher level of awareness and mobilization in urban and peri-urban regions.

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As the IEBC continues the voter registration exercise, stakeholders, including political parties, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, are being urged to intensify sensitization efforts to encourage more Kenyans to register. The performance of counties in the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the country’s political map ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

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