Covid-19, worsening economy to blame for low voter turnout-MP

 Due to low voter turnout in Mbeere South constituency of Embu County, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission [IEBC] officials have been challenged to be rotational in a move to reach more people.

Mbeere South Member of Parliament Geoffrey King'ang'i said places like markets and churches have more people and this will ensure more voters are registered.

The area has witnessed very low turnout with only 150 people registered since the exercise kicked off five days ago against 9,000 targeted for registration before the end of registration exercise.

''The IEBC officials will have to go out where people are. Let them target markets and churches because there are so many people there. This is the only way they will ensure they get more people to register. Let the kits follow people where they are,'' said King'ang'i. 

The exercise has 22 days remaining.

He said the majority of eligible citizens are increasingly finding it hard to spare time out of their daily engagements to go and register owing to the hard economic times occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MP urged members of public to come out in large numbers and register as voters so that they can have a strong voice and elect leaders of their choice.

He noted that they will engage all stakeholders like Nyumba Kumi village elders, chiefs and other administration officers to mobilise locals to come out in large numbers and register as voters.

He was speaking after meeting the IEBC officials in Mbeere South constituency at the CDF office in Kiritiri market.

According to 2017 IEBC registry, Mbeere South has 72,143 registered voters.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI