Explainer: How to register as a voter in Kenya
Explainers
By
Mate Tongola
| Sep 29, 2025
Voter registration is the process through which eligible citizens are entered into the official register of voters, enabling them to participate in elections.
The responsibility for managing this process lies with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), as mandated by the Constitution.
Who is eligible to register?
According to Article 83 of the Constitution, the following are listed as qualifications for a Kenyan voter.
a) Be a Kenyan citizen.
READ MORE
Government steps up drive to cut imports, boost local production
New advisory board to boost Europe-Africa capital links
Co-op Bank backs young developers with Sh110m financing
Government presses China to unlock stalled projects
Family Bank shareholders to ratify plan to list on NSE
Why memorable experiences shape customer loyalty
Why saccos now want to bypass employers in Sh3.4 billion non-remittance crisis
Kenya looks to China's duty-free access after Agoa pact expires
b) Be at least 18 years old, with proof through a valid national ID card or Kenyan passport.
c) Be of sound mind.
d) Not have been convicted of an election offence within the past five years.
Where to register
Kenyans can only register in the electoral area where they intend to vote, which may be a ward, constituency, or county.
By registering, one becomes a voter and is eligible to participate in electing the President, Members of Parliament (including those in the National Assembly and Senate, as well as Women Representatives), Governors, and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
Types of registration in Kenya
a) Periodic registration involves preparing a new register for a specific election.
b) Continuous registration, which is an ongoing process where the IEBC regularly updates the principal voter register by:
Adding new voters, transferring voters across polling centres, deleting names of deceased or legally disqualified voters, and rectifying errors and removing duplicate entries.
How to register
According to information on the official IEBC website, registration is carried out at gazetted registration centres using Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits.
The process involves:
Presenting a valid ID or Kenyan passport.
Verification of the documents by an IEBC registration officer.
Capturing personal details, fingerprints, and a passport-size photograph.
Confirming the accuracy of the captured data.
Receiving a laminated acknowledgment slip.
Updating details such as name or location is possible through Form C, while transfers between polling centres are done via Form D.
Biometric and photo details, however, cannot be altered once captured.
Diaspora registration
The Constitution also guarantees Kenyans abroad the right to vote.
Registration centres are established in embassies, high commissions, or consulates in countries with significant Kenyan populations (at least 3,000 eligible citizens).
Registration abroad follows the same procedure as locally, with applicants required to present a valid Kenyan passport.
Verification and offences
Voters can check their registration status through the IEBC official website at any given time.
However, it is key to note that registering more than once is a serious offence, punishable by a fine of up to Sh100,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
Offenders are also barred from voting in the current and subsequent elections.