IEBC Reveals Number of New Registered Voters

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has registered a total of 2,936,516 new voters.

In a statement on Thursday, August 20, IEBC said it is targeting to have approximately 28.5 million voters in the 2027 General Election.

The electoral body also said it is expanding voter registration outside Kenya from 12 to 26 countries.

“The Commission is also expanding voter registration for citizens residing outside Kenya from 12 to 26 countries, advancing the progressive constitutional right of eligible Kenyans residing outside the country to participate in elections.

“As at 20th August 2026, 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters,” the commission stated.

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At the same time, IEBC said the voter register will be subjected to a forensic audit before the 2027 General Election.

The commission mentioned that the forensic audit will be conducted by a professional audit firm.

“Further, the register of voters will be subjected to a professional independent audit firm that will undertake a forensic audit and certify it for use in the 2027 General Election,” IEBC said.

Meanwhile, the commission has published a timetable outlining key dates and deadlines ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a gazette notice dated Thursday, August 20, IEBC said political parties intending to participate in the election must submit the names of their authorized persons and their specimen signatures to the commission by October 15, 2026.

Their nomination rules must also be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, 2026, before the certified rules are submitted to IEBC by November 6, 2026.

The Gazette Notice also sets December 9, 2026, as a key deadline relating to public fundraising and harambees.

Public officers intending to contest in the General Election must resign from public office by February 10, 2027. The deadline falls six months before the August 10, 2027, election.

Political parties will also be required to have their membership lists certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by March 23, 2027.

The certified lists must then be submitted to IEBC by April 12, 2027.

Political parties must complete their primaries and resolve all intra-party disputes by May 8, 2027.

Presidential candidates are required to submit to IEBC a list containing the names, signatures, and identity card or passport numbers of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of Kenya’s counties.

Further, IEBC said the campaign period will begin on May 29, 2027, for the presidential, National Assembly and Senate elections and run to August 7, 2027, 48 hours before polling day.

Reporting originally appeared via Nairobi Leo. Read the full source for additional context.