A spot check by Capital FM News at various registration centres on Monday showed that more and more Kenyans were turning up at the last minute to take advantage of the mass exercise before it is closes/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 14 – Kenyans are racing against time to beat the mass voter registration deadline which expires on Tuesday.
A spot check by Capital FM News at various registration centres on Monday showed that more and more Kenyans were turning up at the last minute to take advantage of the mass exercise before it is closes.
“I am a jua kali artisan and I have just been focussing on my job but I thought that today I would leave it so that I can ensure that I am registered so as to make a difference in the elections,” stated James Mugo, an artisan.
“For the last two weeks, my schedule has been very busy. I however decided to take some time off today so that I don’t miss the deadline for registration,” said Benson Mwangi, an accountant with a private firm.
“I was undecided as to whether to register or not because I might vote someone in and the person will never even recognize me let alone greet me. However, at the last minute, I changed my mind and that is why I am here,” pointed out Ruth Mwikali, a student.
They further stated the importance of being registered as it made a big difference especially in ensuring they elect leaders of repute.
“You see, even if you are not going to vote, it is good just to keep it. You never know along the way you might change your mind.” Sam Oloo, a college student said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was targeting to register at least four million additional voters in the mass voter registration exercise and had pointed out that the deadline would not be extended.
The commission however expects to register only a quarter of the four million voters.
According to the commission, people can still register at the regional and constituency offices even after the deadline lapses.
The registration which commenced on February 12 was expected to complement the voter registration exercise in which 106,601 new voters had been added to the voters roll since April 2014.
The next General Election is only 19 months away.
The Constitution stipulates that a General Election is held on the second Tuesday of August every fifth year.
Out of the budget of Sh2 billion for mass voter registration, the commission received Sh500 million.
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