Muturi Urges Ruto to Make Death Certificates Free to Clean Up Voters Register

Former Cabinet Secretary and Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has called on William Ruto to make the issuance of death certificates free, arguing that the move would help eliminate deceased voters from Kenya’s electoral register and restore confidence in the country’s election system.

Speaking in Makueni County on Monday during the United Alternative Government’s campaign tour, Muturi raised concerns about the integrity of the voters register maintained by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

According to him, more than two million deceased Kenyans are still listed as active voters, a situation he described as a serious flaw that undermines trust in electoral outcomes.

“The issuance of death certificates should be free. It is a practical and necessary step toward ensuring that our national records are accurate and that the voters register reflects the true will of the living, not the shadows of those we have lost,” Muturi said.

Muturi argued that many families struggle to obtain death certificates due to the cost involved, resulting in thousands of deaths going unrecorded in official government databases.

He said the gap has contributed to inaccuracies in national records, particularly the voter register managed by the IEBC.

The former Attorney General warned that the continued presence of deceased individuals on the register creates potential loopholes that could be exploited during elections, raising legitimate concerns about the credibility of poll results.

Muturi emphasised that transparency and accountability must remain central pillars of Kenya’s democratic process.

Muturi said his concerns mirror findings from previous audits that flagged major irregularities in the voter register, including duplicate entries and the inclusion of deceased individuals.

He stressed that such issues are not minor administrative errors but systemic problems that require urgent attention from the electoral body.

As the IEBC rolls out its Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise, Muturi urged eligible Kenyans to participate actively in the process.

At the same time, he challenged the electoral commission to uphold the highest standards of integrity as it prepares the country for future elections.

“Civic participation is key to strengthening our democracy,” Muturi said, adding that credible elections depend on accurate and transparent voter records.