Senator Wakoli(center) with IEBC county coordinator Grace Rono…Photo/IP
BUNGOMA, Kenya (IP)
Over 100,000 national identification cards remain uncollected in Bungoma County, a gap leaders warn could lock thousands of eligible voters out of the 2027 General Election.
Sen. David Wakoli raised the concern Monday after inspecting the ongoing voter registration exercise at the county office of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Wakoli said the large number of uncollected IDs poses a direct threat to voter participation, even as registration efforts intensify across the county.
According to IEBC county coordinator Grace Rono, 162 biometric voter registration kits have been deployed across Bungoma’s nine constituencies, with additional units stationed in learning institutions, IEBC offices and Huduma Centres to boost accessibility.
Despite the expanded infrastructure, officials say the unclaimed identification documents remain a major bottleneck, preventing many residents—especially first-time voters—from enrolling.
Wakoli called on the Ministry of Interior, led locally by County Commissioner Thomas Sankei, to expedite the distribution of the IDs in collaboration with grassroots leaders.
“The IDs must reach their rightful owners so they can register and fully participate in the democratic process,” Wakoli said.
He, however, praised the growing turnout among young people, noting a surge in youth participation at registration centers.
“Vijana are showing up in large numbers. The momentum is there—now we must ensure no one is left behind,” he added.
Kenya is expected to head to the polls in 2027, with voter registration seen as a critical early test of preparedness and inclusivity in the electoral process.
