NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 18 – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has appealed to church leaders to spearhead a voter registration drive in Western Kenya, saying hundreds of thousands of eligible voters in the region have national identity cards but are yet to register with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking during the MUCODET and Mothers’ Union funds drive at the ACK Diocese of Mumias in Nangili, Matungu Constituency, Speaker Wetang’ula urged clergy and the Mothers’ Union to mobilise eligible Kenyans to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He said research conducted by leaders from the region showed that about 400,000 residents in Kakamega County and another 346,000 in Bungoma County possess national identity cards but have not enlisted as voters.

“We are appealing to our church leaders to encourage members of their congregations who have acquired national identity cards to register as voters. Those who already have IDs but have not registered should do so without delay,” Wetang’ula said.

📌 What You Need to Know

Quoting the popular saying that “bad leaders are elected by good people who fail to vote,” the Speaker urged residents to treat voter registration as a civic responsibility.

Wetang’ula also asked the Mothers’ Union to become ambassadors for voter registration, arguing that the five counties of Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia have the potential to deliver more than five million votes if all eligible residents are registered.

“If we organise ourselves and register every eligible voter, our region will have a stronger voice in national affairs,” he said.

The Speaker further called for peaceful and issue-based politics, cautioning leaders against personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.

“Politics is not enmity. We do not want insults or exchanges of abusive language. We want politics that focuses on development and improving the lives of our people,” he said.

Wetang’ula defended President William Ruto’s development record in Western Kenya saying the region had received greater government investment than in previous administrations.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya