The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has called for deliberate measures to increase the participation and representation of persons with disabilities in Kenya’s political and electoral processes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu made the call on Thursday, September 24, 2026, during an engagement with persons with disabilities, where she urged political parties and other stakeholders to create greater opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in elective leadership.
Nderitu said the country needs a more deliberate approach to identifying, recruiting and supporting persons with disabilities seeking political office.
“All of us should be intentional to recruit as many counties as possible. Currently, I think we have 21 counties that do not have any person with a disability. This is backsliding because in the 2017 election we only had 17,” Nderitu said.
The figures are consistent with findings from a disability participation audit of the 2022 General Election, which reported that 21 counties lacked representation of persons with disabilities in their county assemblies, compared with 17 in 2017.
Focus on political representation
Nderitu said efforts to improve inclusion should particularly consider people living with deafness, who can face additional communication and information barriers during political participation.
“So we call upon all of us to have concerted effort to look at how we can recruit persons with disabilities, and especially now that I’m speaking to the people living with deafness, to include the people with deafness,” she said.
Her remarks place attention not only on voting but also on the participation of persons with disabilities in political parties, nominations, campaigns and elected leadership.
Kenya’s constitutional framework provides for the inclusion of marginalised groups, including persons with disabilities, in county assemblies. The Senate also has two nominated members representing persons with disabilities, one man and one woman.
Removing barriers at polling stations
The IEBC’s disability-inclusion agenda also extends to people participating in elections as voters.
Persons with disabilities may face challenges such as inaccessible polling environments, difficulties accessing voter education materials and communication barriers.
For voters who are deaf or hard of hearing, access to election information in appropriate formats can be particularly important during voter registration, voter education and polling.
The IEBC has previously included inclusive participation of persons with disabilities among its electoral priorities, including discussions on barriers faced by marginalised groups in the political process.
As preparations for the 2027 election continue, addressing these barriers before polling day will be important to ensuring that electoral services can be accessed by a wider range of voters.
Political parties have a role
Nderitu’s call also puts responsibility on political parties, which play a major role in identifying candidates and conducting party nominations.
Increasing representation of persons with disabilities therefore requires participation from political parties, disability organisations, candidates, electoral officials and other stakeholders.
For aspiring candidates with disabilities, barriers may arise long before election day, including access to party structures, nomination processes, campaign resources and political networks.
The issue of representation has also been raised in Parliament. Senate debates in 2024 cited 21 counties without persons with disabilities represented in their county assemblies and called for stronger inclusion at the grassroots level.
Preparing for an inclusive 2027 election
The engagement comes as the IEBC continues consultations with different groups as it prepares for the August 10, 2027 General Election. The Commission’s official website currently lists ongoing work on voter education, electoral technology, diaspora voting and other preparations for the poll.
For persons with disabilities, the effectiveness of the measures will depend on whether commitments translate into accessible voter services and greater opportunities to participate in political leadership.
Nderitu’s call therefore places disability inclusion within the wider preparations for the 2027 election, with attention needed both at the ballot box and within the institutions and political structures that shape who gets to contest and hold elective office.
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