The 6-Million 'Ghost' Scare: Omtatah Exposes Faceless Voters Threatening the 2027 Poll

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has raised alarm over what he describes as major integrity gaps in Kenya’s voter register, claiming that nearly six million registered voters lack biometric photographs.

In a statement shared Wednesday and echoed in Senate proceedings, Omtatah warned that the absence of voter images undermines the credibility of the electoral system and could expose it to manipulation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“I have raised serious concerns about the integrity of the voters’ register. An analysis reveals that nearly six million registered voters lack biometric photographs,” he said. 

“That is a fundamental breach of credibility. Every legitimate voter must be identifiable.”

The senator described such entries as “faceless records,” cautioning that they weaken transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

“A register that contains faceless entries opens the door to manipulation,” he added.

Omtatah has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the voter register and remove any unverifiable records. 

He argued that urgent action is necessary to restore confidence in the country’s electoral systems.

The concerns come amid growing scrutiny of election preparedness as political activity intensifies across the country.

Separately, former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi also questioned the integrity of the register, citing alleged irregular voter transfers between constituencies without individuals’ knowledge.

Speaking in Mwingi West, Muturi claimed that some voters have been reassigned to different polling stations, potentially far from their original registration points, which could affect their ability to vote.

“My driver was registered in one constituency, but we have now found he has been moved to another without his consent,” Muturi said, questioning the transparency of the process.

He warned that such discrepancies could disenfranchise voters and called for dialogue with the IEBC, alongside a full audit of both the voter register and its supporting digital systems.

The IEBC has previously dismissed claims of manipulation, maintaining that the voter register is regularly updated and audited in accordance with legal requirements.

With political leaders increasingly raising concerns, the integrity of the voter register is likely to remain a central issue as Kenya prepares for the 2027 polls.