Transparency International Kenya urges the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to perform a comprehensive audit of the national voter register, ensuring the removal of deceased voters’ names prior to the 2027 General Election.
Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of TI Kenya, highlighted that concerns regarding the integrity of the voter register have persisted through past election cycles and have been central to numerous presidential and other election petitions.
In a recent interview on August 10, 2026, Masinde emphasized that cleansing the register is crucial for achieving the necessary reforms before the next General Election.
“A thorough audit of the register is essential to eliminate names of deceased voters and address any discrepancies,” Masinde stated. “Failure to resolve these issues will hinder our ability to regain the public confidence we desperately need.”
TI Kenya advocates for a voter register audit that integrates data from the Civil Registration Services, facilitating more efficient updates to voter records.
Masinde mentioned that TI Kenya, in collaboration with its partners, has developed a “10 minimum reform agenda” grounded in scientific methodology, incorporating lessons learned from previous elections and insights gained from recent by-elections.
These reforms are slated for discussion with key stakeholders, including Parliament, over the next six to nine months.
Masinde indicated that this timeline would enable any necessary amendments to the Elections Act and related regulations to be addressed before the year concludes.
TI Kenya has identified several critical areas for electoral reform, including the management of election results, addressing electoral-related violence and insecurity, enforcing sanctions for electoral offenses, and regulating campaign financing.
Masinde also pointed out issues such as voter bribery, intimidation, and the misuse of public resources that demand urgent attention as the 2027 elections approach.
The organization not only identifies challenges within the electoral process but also proposes solutions, timelines, and specific entities responsible for implementing these reforms.
As the IEBC continues its preparations for the 2027 General Election, it recently reported significant progress in voter registration. In late April 2026, the commission announced that its Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration Phase I exercise, conducted from March 30 to April 28, 2026, successfully registered 2,345,476 new voters. This brought the total number of newly registered voters since the resumption of continuous registration in September 2025 to 2,612,725.
The registration initiative took place at 30,615 centers, supported by 12,520 officials and 5,390 KIEMS kits deployed across all 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards. The drive specifically targeted Huduma Centres and institutions of higher learning, focusing on attracting young and first-time voters.
IEBC Chairperson Erasmus Ethung’ Ethekon expressed gratitude to Kenyans and stakeholders for their involvement in the exercise, describing it as a vital foundation for an inclusive and credible 2027 election.
Masinde reiterated the importance of addressing the remaining reforms within the established timelines as stakeholders gear up for the upcoming election.
