Siaya County, Kenya — With less than a week into the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise, Siaya County has found itself lagging far behind the national average, recording one of the lowest turnouts across the country. The alarming statistics have triggered concern among both local leaders and electoral officials, with calls for urgent intervention to awaken civic participation—especially among the youth.
According to the Siaya County Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Elections Coordinator, Catherine Bulinda, only 100 new voters have registered across the entire county since the exercise began on September 29, 2025. This figure represents a mere fraction of the 17,873 new voter target for the ongoing phase, signaling an emerging civic disengagement crisis in the region historically known for high political participation.
“This is very low given the population of eligible voters,” Bulinda said in a phone interview, noting that registration was active in five of Siaya’s six constituencies—Alego Usonga, Bondo, Rarieda, Gem, and Ugenya—with Ugunja Constituency excluded due to preparations for a by-election set for November 27, 2025, following the resignation of former MP Opiyo Wandayi, who joined the national cabinet.
Alarming Numbers from the Ground
In Alego-Usonga, for instance, the turnout has been shockingly poor. The area’s constituency registration officer, Kennedy Ogutu, confirmed that only 16 new voters had registered within the first six days—against a five-year target of 31,000 new voters by the 2027 General Election.
“We are disappointed with the figures,” Ogutu admitted. “We expected stronger turnout from the young voters, especially those who have just acquired their national ID cards. We may have to intensify outreach efforts through chiefs, schools, and local leaders to reach more youths.”
This dismal pattern is replicated across the county. In Bondo, Gem, Rarieda, and Ugenya, registration centres have reported minimal activity, with many would-be voters citing lack of awareness, apathy, and disillusionment with the political system as reasons for staying away.
Leadership Alarm: ‘Votes Are Power’
Reacting to the low numbers, Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo has made a passionate appeal to the youth in Nyanza to take voter registration seriously—not merely as a political duty, but as a means to influence national decision-making and resource allocation.
Speaking during a public address in his constituency, Odhiambo said that Siaya and other Nyanza counties risk marginalization if they fail to register sufficient voters to secure their share of the “national cake.”
“It is not enough for Gen Z to demonstrate against authority but fail to register as voters,” Odhiambo said. “We must channel that same energy into shaping leadership at the ballot box. The number of registered voters determines how much attention and resources our region receives.”
He urged all national ID holders, especially the youth, to take advantage of the current exercise, noting that political accountability begins with registration.
Apathy, Disillusionment, and the Gen Z Paradox
Analysts point to a growing disconnection between young Kenyans and the electoral process, a paradox considering their prominence in recent national movements and online activism. While the so-called “Gen Z revolution” has redefined civic engagement through protests and social media campaigns, the same demographic appears hesitant to formalize participation through voter registration.
A 2025 IEBC internal brief shared with this publication highlights that over 60% of unregistered eligible voters nationwide are aged between 18 and 30 years. Many cite frustrations with corruption, unemployment, and unmet political promises as reasons for losing faith in elections.
Local observer Grace Akinyi, a community organizer from Bondo, echoed this sentiment:
“The youth are politically aware, but many no longer see voting as an effective way to bring change. They’ve watched leaders recycle themselves for years. Unless civic education is intensified, voter apathy will persist.”
IEBC Faces Uphill Task Ahead of 2027
With the 2027 General Election less than two years away, the IEBC’s challenge is steep. Besides logistical constraints, the commission must counter voter fatigue and rekindle trust in the electoral process. County registration teams have begun working with chiefs, schools, and civil society organizations to expand outreach in remote areas.
Bulinda said her office is exploring collaboration with universities, technical institutes, and local administration units to ensure that every eligible youth is reached. “We are in talks with local stakeholders to organize mobile registration drives and civic education campaigns,” she added.
Siaya’s voter registration crisis reflects a deeper national issue—the widening gap between political consciousness and electoral participation. For a county that has historically produced some of Kenya’s most influential political figures, the current apathy poses both a political and developmental risk.
As the registration exercise continues, leaders like Elisha Odhiambo hope to turn the tide by convincing the youth that real protest begins at the ballot box. Whether the message resonates will determine Siaya’s electoral strength—and its voice—come 2027.
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