Leaders from Wajir have raised concern over the large number of residents who have national identity cards but are yet to register as voters. They warn that this gap could weaken the county's political voice. Gubernatorial aspirant Hassan Mohamed Adan led the call for eligible voters to register ahead of the 2027 general elections. He emphasized that political participation is closely linked to the county's ability to influence development decisions.
Hassan Mohamed Adan stated that more than 100,000 residents with ID cards were yet to register as voters. He specifically mentioned that 107,000 Wajirians have IDs but do not have voter cards. He urged residents to register as voters to participate fully in the electoral process and ensure they get development. Hassan made these remarks during a meeting with members of the Fai sub-clan of the larger Degodia community living in Nairobi.
The meeting brought together elders, professionals, women, youth, the Fai Mediation Team, and Sultanate leadership as Hassan continued consultations ahead of the 2027 election. The concern over voter registration comes as political leaders in Wajir increasingly link civic participation with representation and access to development resources. This concern is crucial as Wajir had 207,758 registered voters in the 2022 general election.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi recently called on chiefs and other grassroots administrators to intensify campaigns to increase the uptake of national identity cards and voter registration across the county. He stated that development is influenced by politics, and politics is driven by numbers, which are acquired through voter registration. The mobilisation comes against the backdrop of a long-standing challenge in Northeastern over access to national identity documents.
The abolition of additional vetting requirements for Kenyan Somalis seeking IDs has removed one barrier, shifting attention towards ensuring those who already have the documents complete the registration process. Community elder Mohamed Hussein urged residents to reverse voter apathy, saying their numbers would only matter if translated into votes. The Fai sub-clan recently endorsed Hassan as its preferred candidate for governor after consultations involving elders.
Hassan promised to focus on creating opportunities for young people, empowering women, and ensuring different communities have a voice in county affairs. The leaders' call for voter registration is an effort to increase political participation and representation in Wajir. With 313 days to the 2027 general elections, leaders are intensifying efforts to ensure residents register as voters.
The voter registration drive in Wajir aims to increase the county's political voice and influence development decisions. Key stakeholders, including gubernatorial aspirants and community leaders, are working together to educate and sensitize residents on the importance of voter registration. With a target of over 700,000 voters in Wajir, the registration process is crucial for the county's representation and development.
Key points
- Over 107,000 residents in Wajir with national identity cards are yet to register as voters.
- Leaders in Wajir are calling for increased voter registration to strengthen the county's political voice.
- The voter registration drive is linked to the county's ability to influence development decisions and access resources.
