A section of Gen Z youth in Thika has raised concerns over delays in voter registration, citing a shortage of officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), faulty equipment, and congestion at registration centres.
The youth said the challenges have resulted in long queues and disrupted their daily activities, with some spending hours waiting to be served while others leave without completing the process.
They warned that the situation could discourage many young people from participating in the electoral process ahead of the next General Election, raising fears of low youth turnout if the issues persist.
Speaking at a registration centre in Thika, youth leaders Joseph Giathi and Florence Wangari said that despite mobilising large numbers of first-time voters, the station was being served by only one IEBC officer.
Giathi criticised the Commission for what he termed as poor planning, arguing that the centre should have been equipped with more personnel and modern machines to ensure efficient service delivery.
“We did our part by encouraging young people to come out and register, but the system is failing them. One officer cannot handle such numbers,” he said.
The group urged the IEBC to urgently address the staffing shortage and deploy reliable equipment to streamline the process. They also questioned restrictions that prevent some youths from registering at centres of their choice, saying the policy limits accessibility.
In a more pointed concern, the youth expressed suspicion that the challenges—ranging from faulty kits to limited staff—could be deliberate, particularly in light of the high turnout of young people eager to register.
Despite the setbacks, they maintained that their resolve remains strong, vowing to register and safeguard their votes. They also called on fellow young people not to abandon the process, emphasising that every vote has the power to shape the country’s future.
The frustrations, they added, reflect broader concerns among the youth, including unemployment and inadequate healthcare, which they blamed on leadership they say has failed to prioritise their needs.
However, the IEBC has downplayed the concerns, assuring residents that measures are in place to address the delays.
Thika Constituency Election Manager Michael Mose dismissed fears of systemic failure, saying the current situation is temporary.
He explained that the delays are due to the office operating with only one voter registration kit, as most junior officers are currently away on training ahead of a nationwide mass voter registration exercise scheduled to begin next week.
“We understand the inconvenience, but this is a short-term situation. We expect additional kits and staff to be deployed soon,” he said.
According to Mose, the Commission expects to receive 15 registration kits, which will be distributed across the five wards in Thika Constituency, covering both Thika East and Thika West sub-counties.
He urged residents to turn out in large numbers once the official exercise begins, assuring them that the Commission is committed to facilitating a smooth and inclusive voter registration process.
