The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering credible, transparent and peaceful General Elections in 2027, even as it called on all stakeholders to play their role in safeguarding democracy.
Speaking during a breakfast engagement in Nairobi, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the Commission is embracing a new operational approach grounded in openness, inclusivity and early engagement with key partners.
“This is a new commission with a new philosophy. We believe in being open to Kenyans because there is nothing we are hiding. We will do our job as guided by the Constitution and the law,” he said.
Mass voter registration gains momentum
Ethekon revealed that the Commission has already deployed over 12,000 staff across the country to support the ongoing mass voter registration exercise.
He noted that more than one million new voters have been registered within days of launching the enhanced drive, with a target of at least 2.5 million in the first phase.
“We have dispatched ourselves across the country because we believe we must provide leadership to our staff in the field who are registering eligible citizens,” he said.
The Commission projects that the voter register will grow significantly from 22.1 million in 2022 to about 28.5 million by 2027, alongside an increase in polling stations from 46,229 to approximately 55,000.
Strengthening voter register integrity
The IEBC Chair emphasized that the integrity of the voter register remains central to credible elections, noting that new biometric systems have been enhanced to include iris capture in addition to fingerprints.
“The Register is the foundation of any election. We cannot compromise its integrity,” Ethekon said. “That is why we are strengthening biometric identification to ensure every voter is uniquely captured.”
He added that the register will undergo verification and audit before being officially gazetted ahead of the elections.
Lessons from past elections and reforms
Reflecting on the 2007–2008 Kenyan post-election violence, Ethekon warned against a repeat of past electoral unrest, describing the period as devastating both socially and economically.
“We must pray that the events of 2007 never return. We saw lives lost, property destroyed and the economy collapse,” he said.
He noted that recent by-elections provided key lessons, particularly in addressing incidents of violence, voter bribery and political interference.
“We learned valuable lessons. The elections went well, but we witnessed malpractice that must be addressed collectively,” he added.
Call for multi-agency accountability
Ethekon stressed that credible elections require a coordinated effort among institutions, including security agencies and anti-corruption bodies.
“It is time every institution takes responsibility for its mandate so that together we can deliver credible elections,” he said.
He also disclosed that the Commission is working with the Kenya Law Reform Commission to fast-track legal amendments aimed at strengthening the electoral framework.
