A recent survey by TIFA Research, published on July 24, 2026, reveals distinct challenges affecting voter registration among different age groups in Kenya.
Young Adults Struggle with Documentation
Among citizens aged 18 to 24 who remain unregistered, half point to missing essential documents like the National ID as their primary obstacle. Other reasons include:
- 20% cite lack of time to register
- 18% show disinterest in voting or politics
- 7% are unaware of the registration exercise
- 5% face administrative difficulties
- 4% find registration centres inaccessible
- 1% distrust election outcomes
Older Citizens Face Awareness and Systemic Barriers
For Kenyans aged 45 and above, the main deterrents differ significantly:
- 37% unaware of registration opportunities
- 26% report administrative challenges
- 20% express lack of interest in voting
- 15% each cite time constraints, inaccessible centres, and distrust in election results
- Only 11% lack the necessary documents
The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions addressing both document access for youth and information dissemination and administrative efficiency for older voters to increase voter registration rates nationwide.
