IEBC Dismisses Claims of Illegal Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Election

IEBC Dismisses Claims of Illegal Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has rejected claims of illegal voter registration, unauthorised transfer of voters and registration of foreigners ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The electoral agency said the allegations circulating in public and media platforms remained unsubstantiated, adding that its voter registration exercise was being conducted under established constitutional and legal procedures.

“The stories on electoral malpractice or illegality relating to the registration of voters, illegal transfers of voters and alleged registration of foreigners as voters in Kenya and abroad remain unsubstantiated and untrue,” the commission said.

The response followed a teaser released by KTN on Saturday, September 26, announcing an investigation into alleged movement of voter registration materials towards Uganda.

The report reportedly focused on the Swam border area in Trans Nzoia County and linked the allegations to several politicians.

The claims have attracted political attention, particularly in border counties, where questions have been raised about voter registration involving Kenyans living close to neighbouring countries.

IEBC, however, said the ongoing registration exercise was being conducted in all 290 constituencies at designated and gazetted centres.

The commission explained that trained Registration Officers supervise the process, while technological controls have been put in place to prevent unauthorised registration.

IEBC also dismissed suggestions that it was involved in issuing identification documents to foreigners, saying the responsibility does not fall under its mandate.

“In addition, IEBC does not issue National IDs or Kenyan passports. These functions fall within the mandate of the relevant State Agencies responsible for identification, citizenship and immigration,” the commission stated.

IEBC Explains KIEMS Controls

The commission further addressed concerns surrounding the movement and use of Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits.

According to IEBC, the devices used for voter registration are configured to operate only within the authorised electoral environment.

Registration Officers can delegate their use to trained Registration Clerks through unique passwords. The clerks are also mapped to specific electoral areas, while registration is restricted to gazetted centres.

IEBC said no registration equipment had been reported missing or unlawfully moved outside Kenya.

“No KIEMS Kit has been misplaced or reported missing, intercepted or unlawfully moved to unauthorised places or foreign destinations,” the commission said.

The agency added that KIEMS kits used during the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise between March 30 and April 28, 2026, were secured at designated police stations or IEBC offices before being returned to its warehouses.

The commission previously reported that the first phase of the exercise covered all 290 constituencies, with thousands of registration officials deployed across the country.

IEBC Addresses Kenyans Living Abroad

IEBC also clarified the position of Kenyans living outside the country, including citizens residing in Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan.

The commission said living abroad does not remove a Kenyan’s constitutional right to participate in elections and that it was progressively expanding voter registration for citizens in the diaspora.

The issue comes amid increased scrutiny of Kenya’s electoral preparations ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election, which IEBC has listed on its official election calendar.

The electoral body has urged members of the public, political parties and media organisations with evidence of electoral irregularities to submit the information for investigation.

IEBC said it remained open to engagement with stakeholders as it works to strengthen transparency, accountability and compliance with electoral laws.

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IEBC Dismisses Claims of Illegal Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Election