Kenya: IEBC Rejects Claims of Foreigners Registering As Kenyan Voters

What the report says

Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has dismissed allegations that foreigners are being registered as voters, saying the claims are unverified and asking anyone making them to present evidence. The response was reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, as the commission continues work tied to the 2027 general election.

According to the report, the IEBC said claims of electoral malpractice, illegal voter transfers and non-citizen registration are false and could damage public confidence in the voter roll. Commission chair Erustus Ethekon said that if credible evidence of wrongdoing is submitted, the agency would take action, including disciplinary steps and possible referral for criminal investigation.

The commission also restated that voter registration is controlled by Kenya’s Constitution, the Elections Act and other laws. It said eligible applicants must show valid identification such as a national ID card or Kenyan passport, and noted that it does not issue those documents. Continuous voter registration has been under way at designated centres across all 290 constituencies since September 2025, with the IEBC saying it has worked with civic and community groups to encourage registration.

The issue matters because voter roll integrity is central to confidence in Kenya’s next election. In background, electoral bodies in many countries often face scrutiny over registration and transfer processes, especially in the run-up to national polls.