Attorney General emeritus Justin Muturi has urged for an immediate independent audit of the voter register and population database, expressing serious concerns over the integrity of national data systems.
In a statement on April 6, 2026, the Democratic Party leader reacted to a directive from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that requires voters registered before 2012 to resubmit biometric details. This directive has reignited discussions about the accuracy and reliability of the current voter roll.
“The integrity of our electoral process hinges on the credibility of the underlying data. We must not pursue partial solutions amid serious doubts regarding our national registers,” he stated.
Muturi’s concerns follow a recent audit by the National Education Management Information System, which uncovered around 973,000 ghost learners in the system. This revelation has amplified fears regarding systemic weaknesses in government databases, including issues in data collection, verification, and inter-agency coordination. He cautioned that similar vulnerabilities could threaten voter registration and population records.
He highlighted the discovery as indicative of deeper governance challenges. “If nearly a million ghost entries can exist in one government system, we must question the reliability of others. Kenyans deserve assurance that our national records are accurate, secure, and free from manipulation,” he asserted.
Muturi called on the government to initiate a comprehensive forensic audit of the population master register, conducted by independent, credible firms under strict public oversight. He also advised the IEBC to refrain from relying on current population data until the audit concludes and its findings are disclosed.
“We cannot base our elections on potentially compromised foundations. Transparency is essential for public trust,” he emphasized.
He proposed additional reforms to enhance electoral credibility, including early gazettement of polling stations, publication of a verifiable list of polling centers, and confirmation of the physical existence and accessibility of all polling locations. These measures aim to prevent irregularities similar to those identified in the NEMIS audit.
Muturi further urged Parliament and oversight bodies to closely monitor the audit process to ensure its independence and accountability. “We must decisively and transparently address any doubts cast upon our national systems. This is crucial for safeguarding democracy and ensuring accountability in public affairs,” he stated.
IEBC Clarification
The electoral body clarified that not all Kenyans who registered as voters before 2012 must re-register, addressing confusion caused by recent reports.
In a statement, the Commission clarified that only a specific group of voters is affected. “Those who registered before 2012 do not need to register again unless they failed to register when the new Register of Voters was established in 2012,” the IEBC explained.
This clarification stems from the transition from a manual voter register to a biometric system introduced in 2012, following the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the redrawing of electoral boundaries. Prior to this change, voter records were maintained manually. The biometric system requires eligible citizens to re-enroll to capture their fingerprints and other identifying features.
“Before 2012, the Register of Voters was manual. In 2012, it transitioned to a biometric system, requiring all eligible Kenyans to enroll and capture their biometrics,” the Commission stated.
The IEBC noted that this biometric register has been in use since the 2013 General Election and remains the official voter database. By the 2022 General Election, the register included over 22 million voters and underwent auditing to ensure accuracy.
The Commission emphasized that reports suggesting all pre-2012 voters must re-register are misleading. “We have not required all pre-2012 voters to register again. Only those who missed registering in 2012 and have not registered under the biometric system are affected,” it clarified.
