IEBC Clarifies Reports of over 3 Million New Voters from North Eastern After Immigration Reforms
- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared the air over claims that over 3.5 million new voters were being registered in North Eastern Kenya
- A widely circulated image falsely depicted chairperson Erastus Ethekon announcing a massive voter drive linked to recent ID reforms
- The fake announcement spread rapidly across TikTok, featuring an AI-generated photo and misleading captions
- In a firm rebuttal, the commission labelled the letter “fake” and warned Kenyans against falling for misinformation
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed reports suggesting that over 3.5 million new voters from the North Eastern region will be registered.
Source: UGC
The misinformation appeared to ride on the back of a significant policy change earlier this year.
In February 2025, President William Ruto signed a proclamation removing the mandatory vetting requirement that residents of border counties had to undergo before acquiring national identity (ID) cards, a process long criticised for discrimination and systemic exclusion.
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The scrapped rule had existed for over six decades and was primarily applied to communities living in Northern Kenya and other areas bordering Somalia and Ethiopia.
Did IEBC register over 3.5 million voters?
The viral claims, which spread quickly on TikTok and other social media platforms, alleged that the new IEBC chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, had announced the massive voter registration during a press briefing.
The accompanying image, widely shared online, showed what appeared to be Ethekon flanked by two unnamed officials, with a bold caption implying that immigration law reforms had paved the way for a sweeping voter registration drive in the historically marginalised region.
A screenshot from a TikTok video featured an AI-generated image of Ethekon flanked by the two men during a supposed press briefing on the development.
"IEBC Chairman: Over 3.5 Million to be registered in North Eastern Kenya: IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung has announced that more than 3.5 million people from the North Eastern region will now be registered as voters, following key reforms in immigration laws that had previously hindered the process," read the post.
But on Monday, July 14, the electoral agency broke its silence over the supposed developments in the voter register.
In a brief but direct statement shared via its verified social media pages, the IEBC dismissed the claims.
The electoral body shared an image of the viral letter with a "fake" stamp prominently displayed across it, alerting the public that the information was not authentic.
Why did IEBC warn politicians?
Earlier, Ethekon rejected claims that the 2027 General Election will be rigged.
The IEBC labelled such statements, made by some UDA and Kenya Kwanza leaders, as "reckless and unacceptable" in a democratic society.
The commission stressed that without a formal campaign period (gazettement), the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee cannot take action.
Source: Facebook
The remarks risk eroding public trust and spreading anxiety, the IEBC warned, urging Kenyans to dismiss or disengage from them.
The IEBC divulged plans to meet with stakeholders to reinforce faith in the electoral process and reaffirmed its commitment to impartial and transparent elections based on legal and international standards.
Can the current IEBC conduct free and fair election?
The commission chair, Erasutus Ethakon, assured Kenyans that the commission will oversee a free, fair, and credible election in 2027.
Speaking shortly after being sworn into office on Friday, July 12, the youthful chairperson said he would correct the mistakes that were made by his predecessors and preside over an accurate and verifiable election.
The commission has exactly two years to put everything in place before the next General Election.
Some of the challenges the new office will have to deal with urgently include conducting by-elections, seeking budget approvals, conducting voter registration, and cleaning up the register and among others.
Ethakon exuded confidence that despite the tight schedule and uphill tasks ahead, the commission would rise to the occasion and deliver a credible election.
All the three presidential elections conducted under the 2010 constitution have been challenged at the Supreme Court over legality and credibility concerns.
In 2017, the Supreme Court annulled the re-election of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta over procedural flaws and illegalities.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and politics, updated this article with details on the capacity of IEBC to conduct free and fair elections in 2027.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Brian Ajon (Entertainment Editor) Brian Ajon is a journalist accredited by The Media Council of Kenya with five years of experience in print and digital media. At Tuko.co.ke, he is an Entertainment Editor (joined in 2021). He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology with IT from Maseno University. Ajon is also the Newsletter Editor of the Maseno University Alumni Association (MSU-AA) and He is keen on entertainment and viral stories. Email: brian.ajon@tuko.co.ke.
Didacus Malowa (Political and current affairs editor) Didacus Malowa is a political and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology with IT from Maseno University in 2021. He has over two years of experience in digital journalism. Email: didacus.malowa@tuko.co.ke
