The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has clarified widespread confusion over whether Kenyans who registered to vote before 2012 need to re-register ahead of the upcoming elections.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the commission confirmed that citizens who registered before 2012 do not need to register again, provided they were captured in the biometric Register of Voters (ROV) introduced under the 2010 Constitution and the subsequent boundary delimitation in 2012.
“Not at all UNLESS they DID NOT register as voters from 2012 when the new Register of Voters (ROV) was established,” the commission said.
Before 2012, the voter register was manual. In 2012, the IEBC introduced a biometric system, requiring all eligible Kenyans to enroll and have their fingerprints and other details captured. This biometric ROV has been the official register since 2013 and was used in the 2022 General Election.
“As of the 2022 General Election, the Commission maintained an accurate and audited register comprising 22,120,458 voters,” IEBC noted.
The commission emphasized that only a few who may have missed registering in 2012 and never enrolled under the biometric system need to do so now. Everyone else who registered in 2012 or after is already in the system.
“No panic!! Hapa kazi tu!” the commission said, reassuring voters that the system is inclusive and participatory as Kenya deepens its democratic processes.
The clarification comes amid growing online discussions and misinformation, with some suggesting all old voters must re-register, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety among the electorate.
Voters are encouraged to verify their registration details online or at IEBC offices to ensure they can participate in the 2027 General Election.
IEBC reiterated that the electoral body remains committed to ensuring a smooth, transparent, and credible voting process for all Kenyans.
