National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has announced an ambitious competition to boost ID and voter registration in Bungoma County. Speaking at a meeting with political leaders and administrators on March 28, 2025, Wetangula pledged a Ksh1 million cash prize for the chief who excels in driving new Identity Card (ID) and voter registrations in the region.
Leveraging New Presidential Orders
During the meeting, Wetangula urged local leaders to capitalize on President William Ruto’s recent directive eliminating the vetting process for National ID applicants. The Presidential Proclamation, signed in February 2025, simplifies the process for residents in border counties, including Bungoma, to acquire this crucial document.
“This order is a game-changer not just for the North Eastern region but also for border counties like Bungoma. Let’s seize this opportunity to increase registrations,” Wetangula emphasized.
Low Voter Registration Numbers Raise Concerns
Wetangula expressed dissatisfaction with Bungoma’s voter registration numbers. Despite being Kenya’s third-most populous county with a population of 1.6 million according to the 2019 Census, Bungoma registered only 600,000 voters during the 2022 General Election.
“When compared to counties like Nakuru with 1 million registered voters or Kiambu with 1.2 million, Bungoma’s figures don’t reflect its population size. We must change this,” he stated.
Competition for Chiefs Announced
To address these disparities, Wetangula introduced a competition to incentivize chiefs and their assistants. The leader who records the highest ID and voter registrations by mid-2026 will receive the Ksh1 million reward.
“This is about leadership that delivers. By mid-next year, I will reward the chief who demonstrates outstanding results in mobilizing registrations,” Wetangula declared.
Focus on Social Health Authority (SHA) Registration
In addition to voter and ID registrations, Wetangula urged leaders to encourage residents to sign up for the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, ensuring they benefit from the health coverage initiative.
Moving Forward
As Bungoma takes steps to increase voter and ID registrations, Wetangula’s initiative is poised to drive civic participation and ensure the county’s population is adequately represented in national matters. With the Ksh1 million prize adding motivation, chiefs across Bungoma are set to compete for the top spot while empowering their communities.
