Kamduyi MP John Makali
BY ALEX WEKESA
Kanduyi Member of Parliament, John Makali, has challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its directive requiring some Kenyans to register afresh as voters.
Makali dismissed the move, questioning the need for fresh registration when biometric systems were successfully used during the last General Election.
His remarks come amid clarification from the IEBC that individuals who registered before 2012 must re-register in order to be included in the current biometric voter register.
Makali noted that during a meeting with IEBC officials in Mombasa, it had been agreed that only the 2022 voter register would be used in the 2027 General Election.
He said there had been no resolution requiring those who registered before 2012 to register again, and called on the commission to clearly clarify the matter.
“As JLAC, we met IEBC in Mombasa and confirmed that no decision was made requiring pre-2012 voters to register again.
I am pleased that IEBC has now clarified this publicly. Only those few who missed registering in 2012 under the new Biometric Register of Voters (ROV) need to enrol.
Everyone else is fine – no fresh registration required!”, he noted.
At the same time, the legislator urged young people to turn out in large numbers and register as voters, emphasizing that their participation is key in shaping the country’s leadership.
“Young people must take up their responsibility and register in large numbers because their voice matters in determining the future of this country,” he added.
He also cautioned the youth against using abusive language on social media when addressing leaders, instead encouraging respectful and constructive engagement.
“We must maintain respect in our conversations and avoid abusive language, even as we hold leaders accountable,” he said.
The exercise of mass voter registration kicked off on March 30 and will run until April 31, 2026, with the IEBC urging the youth to take advantage of the exercise and get registered.
