A United States-based financial expert and Mandera gubernatorial aspirant, Abukar Abdirahman, has called on eligible Kenyans—particularly residents of Mandera County—to take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
He said the process of registration presents an opportunity to bring about a change shape the region’s future leadership.
Mr. Abukar Abdirahman, widely recognised for his sustained humanitarian efforts—including life-saving water trucking initiatives across drought-affected areas—urged residents to take charge of their future by securing voter registration cards and preparing to make their voices count.
Currently serving as a Budget Director in Washington, D.C., Abdirahman is considered a frontrunner in the Mandera gubernatorial race and a key challenger to the incumbent.
His remarks come as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conducts a 30-day Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) drive aimed at expandnational voter roll ahead of future elections.
Mr. Abdirahman urged young people and first-time voters not to ignore the process, emphasising that meaningful change can only be realised through active participation in elections.
“Registering as a voter is the first step towards bringing the leadership and development our people deserve. Without a voter’s card, your voicecan nott be heard,” he said.
The IEBC exercise, which runs until April 28, is being carried out across the country in county assembly wards, constituency offices, Huduma Centres, and selected learning institutions. In Nairobi, voter transfer is also available at the commission’s Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers.
Mr. Abdirahman noted that historically low voter turnout in some northern Kenya counties has undermined efforts to influence key governance decisions, urging residents to reverse the trend.
“Our region has often lagged behind in voter registration and turnout. This must change if we are to secure equitable development, better services, and stronger representation,” he underscored.
He added that the ongoing exercise provides a rare window for residents to correct that imbalance. He particularly called for mobilization of youth, women, and marginalised communities to register in large numbers.
The IEBC has said the decentralised nature of the registration process is intended to improve access and reduce barriers, especially for populations in remote and underserved areas.
He appealed to leaders and stakeholders across the country encouraging citizens to participate in the exercise, framed under the theme “Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration.”
The commission has maintained that expanding the voter register is key to ensuring a more inclusive, transparent, and credible electoral process.
