Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC, today participated in a panel discussion at the inaugural Trust Summit 2026: Nairobi Dialogues on Global Trust, held under the theme “Weaving Trust: Binding Strands for a Strong Global Order."
The Summit brought together leaders from government, the public and private sectors, civil society, academia, media and technology to explore practical approaches to strengthening public trust, institutional credibility and confidence in governance.
Speaking during a session on Trust and Democracy, Chairperson Ethekon underscored the importance of transparency, accountability and meaningful public engagement in building confidence in democratic institutions, particularly electoral management bodies.
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, he reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with political actors, the media, civil society organizations and citizens to promote informed participation, constructive engagement and respect for electoral processes.
Public trust in electoral institutions is built not only through the conduct of elections, but also through transparent processes, access to reliable information, accountability in decision-making and meaningful engagement with citizens. Our Constitution is clear that sovereign power belongs to the people. The Commission remains committed to upholding this principle and strengthening public confidence in Kenya’s electoral processes,” said Chairperson Ethekon.
His participation highlighted the critical role of trust in sustaining democracy and reinforcing the credibility of electoral institutions. As the country moves towards the 2027 General Election, strengthening public confidence remains essential to ensuring that citizens participate meaningfully in the electoral process and that democratic institutions continue to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and constitutionalism.
