Justin Muturi Urges Return of Voter Cards to Safeguard Democracy

Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi has reignited debate over Kenya’s electoral safeguards, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to reintroduce physical voter cards.

Through a post on X on March 5, 2026, he argues that the cards would reduce fraud and strengthen transparency in the voting process.

During a weekend tour of Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Nyeri counties, Muturi allegedly recounted a disturbing encounter in Kiawara. Three men approached him after a rally and confessed they had travelled to Mbeere North to vote in a recent by‑election—despite not being registered there.

“They told me they had been facilitated and paid to go there and vote,” Muturi said. “They admitted they were sorry, but said they did it because they were given money.”

Muturi insists that scrapping voter cards in earlier reforms created loopholes. He believes reinstating them would add a crucial layer of verification, making impersonation harder.

Kenya currently relies on biometric voter identification, where fingerprints and electronic records authenticate voters before they cast ballots. While the system has improved efficiency, critics point to glitches and breakdowns. Muturi stresses that physical cards would not replace biometrics but complement them, offering a backup when technology falters.

He also raised alarm over reports of national IDs being issued to criminals and foreigners. “This raises a grave risk that such documents could be used to interfere with our elections. Voting must be made strictly exclusive to the voter’s card. National IDs alone should not be sufficient,” he warned.

Muturi urges the restoration of the voter card as the mandatory document for voting. “Kenya’s democracy must never be reduced to a marketplace where votes are bought, transported, and traded. Our elections must remain credible, transparent, and protected from manipulation,” he declared.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has recently secured a "clean sweep" in Mbeere North, winning two Ward-level by-elections on February 26, 2026. These elections were widely viewed as a high-stakes proxy battle between President William Ruto's administration and the "United Opposition (United Alternative Government).

These mini-polls occurred after the previous MCAs vacated their seats to contest the parliamentary by-election.

In Evurore Ward, Duncan Muratia Nyaga (UDA) won with 7,853 votes, defeating Albert Muchira (DP) who received 1,940 votes.

In Muminji Ward, Peterson Njiru Njeru (UDA) emerged victorious with 3,207 votes, beating Boniface Ngari (DEP) who had 2,232 votes.

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