IEBC Figures Point Out to Historic Low Voter Turnout

IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022. (1).jpg
IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera during an IEBC briefing at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 1, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that only 12,065,803 registered voters, out of 22,120,458, had cast their votes by Tuesday, August 9. 

IEBC Commissioner Francis Wanderi noted that the figure, which represented a 56.17 per cent turnout, excluded voters who had cast their ballots manually and those who voted in the last hour of the official timeline. 

The commission estimated that the final turnout would be around 60 per cent, which would be one of the lowest in the country's voting history.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati addressing the press at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 8, 2022.jpg
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati addressing the press at the Bomas of Kenya on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke

In 2017 the final turnout was 78 per cent for the General Election while in 2013, the turnout was 86 per cent. The 2007 poll had 68 per cent of the registered voters casting their ballots. 

Commissioner Wanderi attributed the low turnout to poor leadership exhibited in the past with many voters choosing not to participate in the exercise.

"There are many reasons that may cause low voter turnout. But as of now, if we are at 56.17% we are doing well because voting is still going on. In some areas, the voter turnout is quite high."

"It's true that turnout has been low in many parts of the country however we are urging many to come out and vote so that they can exercise their constitutional l right," Wanderi stated.

Wanderi further noted that elderly people were assisted to vote after failing to be identified through KIEMs kits.

In the Mt Kenya region, leaders had attributed the low voter turnout to the bad weather and they had urged members of the public to show up in the afternoon and cast their ballots.

Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru had also earlier stated that the cold weather and farming activities had kept voters away from the polling stations.

Her sentiments were echoed by Kieni Member of Parliament Kanini Kega who noted that the chilly weather made people forgo voting, especially the elderly. 

The lawmaker also attributed voter apathy to the fact that the region does not have a presidential candidate, with President Uhuru Kenyatta who hails from Central Kenya set to retire after serving his two constitutional terms.

Kega at the same time criticized the IEBC over the missing of some ballot papers of various elective posts saying that they should have verified to ensure everything was in place through the department of quality control.

"Since 1992, Mt Kenya region has always produced a presidential candidate and that is the reason why the people of this region come out in large numbers. Having no candidate coming from the region can also be blamed for the low turnout," he stated.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega speaking to Nyeri residents on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Kieni MP Kanini Kega speaking to Nyeri residents on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
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Kanini Kega