IEBC Launches Iris Recognition Technology

Kenya’s electoral commission has begun using iris recognition technology in its latest voter registration drive, introducing a new layer of biometric verification ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) launched the continuous voter registration (CVR) campaign on 29 September 2025, aiming to add 6.3 million new voters. The exercise is underway in 278 constituencies and 57 Huduma Centres and is expected to increase the national voter roll to 28.5 million before the polls. 

Central to the initiative are upgraded Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits, now fitted with iris scanners to strengthen identity verification.

Iris recognition technology maps the unique patterns in the coloured part of the eye, providing a stable biometric marker that does not change with age or physical work. IEBC ICT specialist Godfrey Ngunyi explained that the iris will serve as a reliable alternative when fingerprints cannot be used. 

“We are capturing the iris because it remains unchanged over time, unlike fingerprints which can wear out depending on one’s work,” he said.

The Elections Act allows the use of various biometric identifiers, including fingerprints, hand and earlobe geometry, retinal and iris patterns, voice waves, DNA, and signatures. The IEBC’s use of iris technology is part of a Sh7 billion modernisation of its election systems. However, officials have clarified that providing iris data is voluntary. 

“Since we have included iris data, it is not compulsory,” said Joyce Ekuam, Director of Voter Education, Partnerships and Communication. “You can still register using fingerprints if you prefer.”

The registration process has also been streamlined to reduce errors and speed up service. National ID cards are scanned to automatically fill in personal information, while biometric capture and photography are completed within five to ten minutes. Applicants can register from any location and choose their polling station later, a change intended to make the process more accessible.

Past technical failures with KIEMS kits have raised concerns about reliability and data security. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has assured the public that all personal information will be protected under the Data Protection Act of 2019. 

“Access to voter information will be restricted to authorised personnel, and breaches will attract legal sanctions,” he said, adding that the systems have been designed to be secure and tamper-proof.