{
  "id": 11294425,
  "title": "Murkomen defends voter registration in border counties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/murkomen-defends-voter-registration-in-border-counties",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T22:05:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/murkomen-defends-voter-registration-in-border-counties"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended the ongoing registration of Kenyans residing in border regions and neighboring nations, emphasizing that citizens should retain their right to identification documents and voter registration based on their legal status, not their location. Addressing concerns at a development, security, and service delivery tour in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, Murkomen asserted that Kenyans who work or conduct business in neighboring countries should still be able to access government registration services. He emphasized that all Kenyans, including those in neighboring nations, are entitled to voter registration, highlighting the role of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in supporting Kenyans abroad. The government remains committed to providing identity cards and voter registration services to eligible citizens without discrimination based on residence. Murkomen encouraged Kenyans to benefit from ongoing reforms to obtain their national identification documents and register as voters, stressing the ID's importance for employment, services, and participation in national affairs. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has also confirmed that voter registration is open to eligible Kenyan citizens meeting the legal criteria, refuting allegations of illegal voter transfers and foreign registrations without credible evidence. During his tour, Murkomen visited ongoing projects, including the Kiminini Modern Market and the Kiminini-Ndalu road, emphasizing their role in improving services and supporting farmers, traders, and learners. On security, he reported increased efforts by the Interior Ministry to combat illicit alcohol, narcotics, and smuggled goods at the borders, stressing the importance of community cooperation. Murkomen also highlighted collaboration between Kenya and Uganda in addressing cross-border crimes such as cattle theft and banditry, with the Suam One Stop Border Post planned to enhance regional cooperation and facilitate trade. The government recently streamlined registration procedures, removing additional vetting requirements for border counties to facilitate easier access to identification services. As political leaders debate the eligibility of Kenyans living and working in neighboring countries for ID acquisition and election participation, Murkomen affirmed that eligible citizens would continue to receive identification services and voter registration rights irrespective of their place of residence.",
  "summary": "Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the ongoing registration of Kenyans living in border areas and neighbouring countries, saying citizens should not lose access to identification documents or the right to register as voters because of where they live. Speaking in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, on Thursday, October 1, 2026, Murkomen dismissed claims that […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}