The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has suspended the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise in Ol Kalou constituency following the death of area Member of Parliament David Njuguna Kiaraho.
The commission said the move complies with electoral laws and procedures governing vacant parliamentary seats, which require the suspension of certain activities until a by-election process is initiated and concluded.
According to the commission, the suspension will remain in effect until all legal steps leading to a by-election are completed. The process begins with the official declaration of the seat vacancy by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Once declared vacant, the electoral body will publish a by-election notice in the Kenya Gazette outlining timelines and key dates. Voter registration in Ol Kalou will only resume after the by-election and will continue for 30 days as provided for under electoral regulations.
Despite the suspension in Ol Kalou, the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise continues in other parts of the country. The nationwide campaign targets at least 2.5 million new voters ahead of future elections.
In Nyandarua County, Commissioner Ann Nderitu convened a stakeholders meeting bringing together representatives from the Political Parties Registration Office, Population Registration Department, county officials and community groups.
Figures presented during the meeting showed a slow response, with 3,454 new voters registered in the first 10 days of the exercise. Leaders and stakeholders attributed the low turnout to delays in the issuance and collection of national identity cards.
Nyandarua County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa said more than 8,000 identity cards remain uncollected at national government administrative offices across the county. He noted that efforts are underway to distribute the documents closer to residents through offices of Deputy Sub-County Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and Chiefs.
Jaldesa dismissed concerns about shortages, explaining that the challenge is not availability but collection. Authorities are intensifying awareness campaigns to encourage eligible citizens to pick up their identity cards and register as voters before the exercise ends.
Stakeholders also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during the electoral period. They pledged to work with security agencies to prevent crime and ensure stability ahead of the expected by-election in Ol Kalou.
The commission reiterated that the suspension in the constituency is procedural and necessary to uphold the integrity of the electoral process during the transition period following the death of a sitting Member of Parliament.
