People in areas that held by-elections in 2025 will from Monday be able to register as new voters, transfer their registration or update their voting details, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced.

In a statement, the Commission said the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will resume on January 12, 2026, in constituencies where registration had been temporarily suspended to allow for the November 27, 2025 by-elections.

“The Commission hereby announces resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the following electoral areas,” IEBC said in the notice.

The affected constituencies are Magarini, Galole, Fafi, Banissa, Machakos Town, Turkana North, Turkana West, Samburu North, Moiben, Keiyo South, Chesumei, Tiaty, Baringo North, Baringo Central, Baringo South, and Mogotio.

Others are Eldama Ravine, Narok North, Kajiado Central, Khwisero, Kabuchai, Ugunja, Kasipul, West Mugirango, North Mugirango, Borabu and Embakasi North.

IEBC explained that CVR had been temporarily suspended in these areas in line with the law, which requires the voters’ register to be closed during an election period.

“CVR had been suspended in these areas for purposes of the 27th November, 2025 by-elections,” the Commission said.

The resumption comes as part of the Commission’s broader effort to expand voter registration nationwide ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to the latest publicly available data, IEBC has so far registered 90,020 new voters in the ongoing drive that began on September 29, 2025, as of October 31, 2025.

In addition, 15,619 voters have transferred their registration, while 188 have updated their particulars.

Despite this progress, the numbers remain well below the Commission’s national target of 6.3 million new voters, raising concerns among civic groups and stakeholders about the pace of registration.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon has repeatedly urged eligible citizens, particularly young people who have attained voting age, to take part in the exercise.

“A credible and up-to-date voter register remains the cornerstone of free, fair and transparent elections,” Mr Ethekon said in a recent press release.

The latest county breakdown shows significant variation in registration levels:

Leading counties:
Nairobi City – highest number of new registrations

Kiambu – strong performance

Machakos and Mombasa – steady progress.

Counties lagging behind: Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo and Samburu recorded some of the lowest numbers of new voters.

The disparities have prompted calls for intensified awareness campaigns and mobile registration units, especially in rural and remote regions where turnout has been low.

IEBC said eligible Kenyans must present a valid national identity card or Kenyan passport when registering and that CVR continues to be an ongoing exercise except where suspended for electoral reasons.

“Continuous Voter Registration remains an ongoing exercise except where suspended for electoral reasons,” the Commission reaffirmed.

With the resumption in the 29 constituencies, the Commission hopes to boost registration figures and bring more eligible voters into the national roll well ahead of the 2027 polls.