How to Vote in Kenya
A plain-language guide to registering and voting — from who can vote through to what happens at the polling station.
This is general guidance, not official IEBC material. Dates, deadlines, and current requirements can change between elections — always confirm specifics on the IEBC website.
1
Who Can Vote
- A Kenyan citizen
- 18 years or older by election day
- Registered as a voter in the IEBC register — citizenship alone does not let you vote
- Of sound mind and not disqualified under Kenyan electoral law
2
How to Register as a Voter
- Registration happens during IEBC's designated registration periods — mass registration drives or continuous registration at IEBC offices
- Bring your original National ID card or a valid Kenyan passport — no other document is accepted
- Registration is biometric: your fingerprints and photo are captured on the spot
- Register at the polling center nearest to where you'll vote — your registration ties you to that specific polling station
3
Verify Your Registration Before Election Day
- Confirm you're on the register and check which polling station you're assigned to
- Do this well before election day — problems are far easier to fix in advance
4
What to Bring on Election Day
- Your original National ID card or valid Kenyan passport — a photocopy, driving license, or other ID will not be accepted
- You do not need a separate voter card; your ID plus biometric verification is what identifies you at the polling station
5
Finding Your Polling Station
- Your polling station is fixed by where you registered, not simply where you currently live
- If you've moved since registering, your polling station may still be your original one — check rather than assume
6
What Happens at the Polling Station
- Join the queue — anyone in line by closing time is entitled to vote, even if that runs past official closing
- Present your ID to election officials for verification (biometric, with a manual fallback if needed)
- Receive your ballot papers — a general election typically involves up to six separate ballots: President, Governor, Senator, Woman Representative, MP, and MCA
- Mark each ballot in a private booth
- Cast each ballot into its matching ballot box
- Have your finger marked with indelible ink — this prevents anyone from voting twice
7
Polling Hours
- Polls generally run from early morning to late afternoon — confirm exact hours for the current election via IEBC
8
Voters With Disabilities
- Priority access and assistance at polling stations
- Tactile ballot guides are available for voters who are visually impaired
9
After the Vote
- Counting happens at the polling station itself, in view of party agents and observers — a deliberate transparency feature of Kenya's system
- Results are typically posted publicly at the station before being transmitted onward
For Anything Time-Sensitive
Exact dates, deadlines, and current requirements should always be confirmed directly with IEBC.