Murang’a: A Murang’a leader and philanthropist has urged government agencies to decentralize voter registration services and bring them closer to rural communities to increase participation ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at Gitugi Market in Mathioya Constituency during a voter registration outreach exercise, Ahadi Kenya Trust founder Stanley Kamau reminded residents that voting is their power to choose leaders who would shape their future. ‘Your vote gives you the ability to decide and choose your leaders,’ he said.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kamau called on young Kenyans to avoid political incitement, violence, or conflict, and instead make their choices peacefully at the ballot. He thanked the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) for mobilizing residents to take part in the registration drive, noting that many locals had raised concerns about difficulties in accessing IEBC services, especially because of the distance to the Kiriaini registration centre. ‘We are here because people have expressed challenges accessing IEBC voter registration services at Kiriaini,’ he said.
Kamau urged both the national and county governments to explore ways of decentralizing voter registration and other essential services to ensure rural communities are not left behind. ‘People living near towns can easily access services, but those in rural areas continue to face challenges,’ he noted. He further advised voters to critically examine the leaders they intended to elect, stressing that only through the ballot could they bring about continuity or change. ‘Whether you want the current leadership to continue or you want change, the only way is through the ballot, not violence or intimidation,’ he stated.
Kamau recommended collaboration between IEBC and Registrars of Persons so that residents applying for national identity cards could also conveniently register as voters. He highlighted the plight of poor and elderly citizens who cannot afford transport to registration centres, urging elected leaders to facilitate IEBC officials to reach grassroots areas. ‘We need to bring services to the people so that elderly persons and people with disabilities can register as voters,’ said Kamau.
Mathioya Sub-county IEBC official Caroline Githua echoed the call, emphasizing the importance of youth participation in elections. ‘We urge young people to register as voters so they can choose their leaders,’ she said adding, ‘Register, and also encourage your family and friends to register’. Githua added that IEBC continues to offer voter education while working with stakeholders to expand access to registration services across the country.