The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has provided an update on the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which was relaunched on Monday, September 29.
In a statement on Friday, October 3, IEBC reported steady growth in the enrolment of new voters just four days after the resumption.
According to IEBC, as of Thursday, October 2, new registrations stood at 7,048, while 259 voters successfully transferred their details to new electoral areas.
In addition, eight voters updated their information nationally.
“In the last four (4) days since resumption, the Commission has recorded progressive growth in the enrolment of new voters into the Register of Voters.
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"As of 2nd October 2025, new enrolments stood at 7,048, while those who successfully transferred their registration to their new preferred electoral areas were 259 voters. In addition, eight (8) voters updated their details nationally,” the statement read.
At the same time, IEBC announced enhancements to the biometric registration process, now including iris recognition as part of voter identification.
IEBC explained that the addition of the iris feature provides an alternative form of identification should fingerprint recognition fail.
"In line with Section 2 of the Elections Act, Cap 7, the voter registration process entails the collection of both biographic information and biometric identifiers. Previously, the Commission captured fingerprints and a digital facial photograph as the only two biometric identifiers. This year, an additional biometric feature — the iris — has been incorporated.
"The iris provides an alternative means of voter identification should fingerprint recognition fail. The inclusion of iris recognition is expressly permissible under the law, which provides for biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, hand geometry, earlobe geometry, retina and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, and signatures,” the statement added.
IEBC reassured Kenyans of its commitment to data security and privacy, emphasizing strict compliance with the Data Protection Act.
“The Commission reiterates its strict compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019, and its attendant regulations. All data collected during voter registration is securely stored, accessed solely by duly authorized officers, and applied strictly for its legally prescribed purposes. The Commission emphasizes that any unauthorized access, misuse, or compromise of voter data will attract the full sanctions of the law,” the statement further read.
This comes days after IEBC Director of Voter Education and Partnerships Joyce Ekuam announced that iris scanning in the ongoing CVR exercise is not compulsory.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, Ekuam said IEBC officials can bypass the step if an individual is not comfortable with the iris scan.
"In as much as we have included the iris, it is not compulsory; we can bypass and not take it with our KIEMS kits if you are not comfortable with it," she said.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu, on Monday, September 29, revealed that the electoral body has made changes to its voter registration system.
Speaking during an interview, she said IEBC has replaced the Biometric Voter Registration System (BVR) kits with tablets.
Nderitu also disclosed that the commission will capture the fingerprints and iris of voters in the voter registration system.
"We have also enhanced the features of that tablet. The registration system is now able to capture not only your fingerprints but also your iris, and it’s faster than the previous one," she stated.
