Busia: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana has called on political leaders and stakeholders in Busia County to step up efforts in mobilising residents to register as voters during the ongoing enhanced continuous voter registration exercise. Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Busia, Dr. Mukhwana emphasised the urgency of the exercise, noting that the Commission will not extend the registration period.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mukhwana urged eligible residents to take advantage of the remaining time and register in large numbers. “Busia County is currently at only 40 percent of the target of 47,540 voters, yet more than half of the registration period is already gone. This clearly shows that we need to intensify our efforts if we are to achieve the set target,” he said.
To enhance accessibility, the Commissioner noted that IEBC has decentralized the process by deploying at least three KIMS kits in every ward, allowing residents to register conveniently from any location. Registration centers have also been set-up in institutions and busy public areas such as markets to ensure no eligible voter is left out.
Despite these efforts, Dr. Mukhwana expressed concern over inadequate support from local leaders, saying their involvement is critical in driving grassroots mobilization. “Leaders from all spheres of leadership must come out and support this process. Political leaders, in particular, have large followings, and their influence can significantly boost voter turnout. Their active participation will help us reach many more people at the grassroots,” he said.
He further called on residents of the Western region to leverage their numerical strength by registering in large numbers, noting that voter registration is key to influencing national development and resource allocation. “Elections are a fundamental democratic process through which citizens exercise their rights. It is also through voting that regions can leverage their population numbers to influence resource allocation,” he added.
Dr. Mukhwana also raised concern over the growing spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially through social media platforms, warning that such trends could undermine public trust in institutions. He urged citizens to verify information from official IEBC communication channels before sharing.
Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma echoed concerns over the low voter registration turnout in the county, urging residents to register to actively participate in the democratic process. “As a County, we have not been performing well in voter registration. The only way we can elect leaders who will effectively represent our interests and champion our development agenda is by ensuring that we are registered voters and that we participate in elections,” he said.
The Governor revealed that his Administration will work closely with IEBC to boost the exercise through coordinated mobilization efforts, engaging Sub-county Administrators, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), and other stakeholders to reach more residents. He also highlighted challenges faced by residents in acquiring National Identity Cards, particularly in border areas, and appealed for solutions to ease this process.
Busia County Commissioner Stephen Orinde also emphasized the importance of youth participation in the voter registration exercise to shape leadership and governance. He called for enhanced coordination between IEBC and national government administration officers to facilitate immediate voter registration for individuals who have just acquired their national identity cards.
Since the rollout of the enhanced voter registration exercise, Busia County has recorded 19,465 new voters, representing 40 percent of the target of 47,540 for the 30-day period. Among the seven constituencies, Teso South is leading with a 52 percent achievement rate, while Funyula is trailing at 32 percent, highlighting disparities in uptake across the county.
