A youth leader in Nyamira County has decried the poor turn out of residents in the ongoing voter registration exercise that commenced on February 15.
Speaking exclusively with this writer on Friday after launching a mass voter registration sensitization programme at Miruka Market, Onyancha Alex attributed the low turn out to lack of proper information from Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
"It is extremely disheartening for our people not to embrace such an important activity. But it is more sad that people as old as 40 plus years lack even an identity card. It is a clear indication that our people lack the relevant information on the importance of taking part in an electoral process," he said.
"Many of the residents I have spoken to are not even aware of the ongoing registration," he added.
The youth leader revealed that the sensitisation exercises aimed at also changing people's mindsets towards voting by making realize that having a voter's card was what gave them a right to vote for their preferred candidates and leaders.
"To effectively carry out sensitization, we have decided to incorporate chiefs and local personnel who are knowledgeable on the matter to go and educate our people on the importance of participating in the electoral process," he said.
The youth leader appealed to IEBC and local leaders to conducted civic education on the importance of citizens registering as voters.