The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has re-affirmed its resolve to strengthen public confidence through stakeholder engagement and institutional reforms.
IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon said that the Commission is committed to delivering a credible, inclusive and transparent General Election in 2027.
In a speech read on his behalf by the IEBC Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdallah, during the external stakeholder validation meeting for their Strategic Plan 2024-2029 at the Kenya School of Government on Monday, Ethekon said the draft Strategic Plan and the Election Operations Plan 2025-2027 would guide the Commission’s priorities, reforms and election preparedness over the coming years.
“The Commission remains firmly committed to transparency as a cornerstone of its operations,” said Ethekon, adding that involving stakeholders in the planning process was aimed at promoting accountability, public confidence and shared ownership of electoral processes.
The IEBC chair noted that the previous Strategic Plan 2020-2024 expired in June 2024, but development of a new plan was delayed due to the absence of commissioners at the time.
He said the appointment of a new Commission in September 2025 had enabled the institution to move with urgency in strengthening its constitutional mandate.
Ethekon highlighted key achievements made by the Commission, including the successful conduct of by-elections in November 2025 and February 2026, saying the exercises helped improve operational preparedness and refine election management processes.
He further disclosed that the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise attained 94 per cent of its target, attributing the performance to improved efficiency and increased citizen participation in democratic processes.
According to the chairperson, the Commission’s new strategic plan is anchored on four key result areas namely Managing Elections, Citizen Engagement and Participation, Equitable Representation, and Institutional Resilience.
He said the Commission was aligning all its operations, including voter registration, voter education, staff recruitment and training, and deployment of technology towards delivering an election that is inclusive, peaceful, credible, verifiable and efficient.
“The 2027 General Election is the central focus of the Commission’s planning horizon,” he stated.
Ethekon revealed that the Commission was preparing for the constitutionally mandated boundaries delimitation exercise through a phased approach to ensure fair representation and equitable distribution of electoral units.
He emphasized that the credibility of the delimitation process would depend on technical rigor, transparency and stakeholder participation.
The IEBC chairperson called on stakeholders to actively interrogate the draft plans, identify gaps and submit evidence-based recommendations through thematic sessions, written memoranda and email submissions.
He proposed that all submissions be submitted within 14 days to allow incorporation of stakeholder views before finalization of the Strategic Plan and the Election Operations Plan.
Ethekon reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to openness, dialogue and continuous engagement with stakeholders, noting that the IEBC would continue providing platforms for constructive interaction in strengthening Kenya’s democracy.
By Celestine Lomolijah and Doreen Kasung’wa
