Kirinyaga Woman Representative Alleges Voter Suppression in Mt Kenya
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has accused President William Ruto’s government of deliberately trying to suppress voter registration in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 1, during the burial of the late former Senator Daniel Karaba in Kirinyaga County, Maina claimed that the administration was intentionally slowing down the issuance of national identity cards in certain areas.
According to her, this delay is not random but targeted, with some regions receiving priority while others, particularly in Mt Kenya, are being neglected.
The legislator said that such selective delays could have a major impact on voter registration since a national ID is a mandatory requirement to register as a voter. She warned that the withholding of IDs could effectively disenfranchise residents in the region.
“We have received reports that some areas are being prioritised while others are being ignored. I want to strongly remind those in power that national IDs are the rights of all Kenyans,” Maina stated.
She further alleged that these delays go beyond normal administrative inefficiency and are part of a wider political strategy aimed at reducing the number of registered voters in Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 general elections.
She warned that if the government continues to withhold these vital documents, she would personally lead a protest to the registration offices in Nairobi to demand action.
“I want to urge the people of Kirinyaga to stand up and demand their rights. If the authorities cannot provide the IDs, we will march to Nairobi and make our voices heard,” Maina added.
Her remarks come in the wake of clarifications from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) about voter registration nationwide, especially in heavily populated areas.
The commission recently described as false reports suggesting that it was neglecting voter registration in certain regions, particularly in Western and Nyanza counties.
IEBC urged the public to verify information only from its official channels, including its website and verified social media accounts.
Meanwhile, Maina’s concerns reflect wider frustrations across the country, where delays in ID processing have left many applicants waiting for months before receiving their documents.
The situation has raised fears about potential obstacles to voter registration and participation in the upcoming elections.
The Kirinyaga legislator’s comments highlight the growing tension over access to essential documents, with residents and leaders increasingly questioning whether the delays are purely administrative or politically motivated.
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