Issue 459 | Friday October 16, 2026
PG 2Strategy The Commission, led by Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC, last week held a meeting with Deputy Directors of Electoral Operations from all 47 counties across the country to assess preparedness and strengthen coordination ahead of the 2027 General Election. The engagement forms part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen field coordination.
The Commission hosted Election Security Arrangements Programme roundtable meetings, with support from Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa. The meetings held in Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa, Nyeri, Kisumu and Nairobi/Kajiado sought to strengthen the safety and security of voters and election officials.
PG 4Security
The Commission led by Commissioner Dr. Ann Nderitu, CBS, participated in a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Mechanisms for the Realisation of the Not More Than Two-Thirds Gender Principle in the 2027 General Election and beyond. The event was organised by the The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya.
PG 9Representation
WEEKLY- EBULLETIN
Vice-Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdalla, OGW, represented the Commission during a policy dialogue forum convened by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC). The dialogue centred on promoting participation of Special Interest Groups in political party leadership and governance.
PG 11Inclusion
ebulletin@iebc.or.ke
Strategy
IEBC meets Deputy Directors of Election to enhance coordination ahead of polls
The Commission, led by Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC, last week held a meeting with Deputy Directors of Electoral Operations from all 47 counties across the country to assess preparedness and strengthen coordination ahead of the 2027 General Election. The engagement forms part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen field coordination. (Photos: Linda Mworia)
he Commission, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, HSC, last week held a meeting with Deputy Directors of Electoral Operations from all 47 counties across the country to assess preparedness and strengthen coordination ahead of T the 2027 General Election.The officers were formerly known as County Election Managers.
The meeting focused on translating the Commission’s Election Operations Plan into actionable work plans at the county and constituency levels, with emphasis on voter registration and education, staffing, training, technology deployment and logistics.
The Chairperson underscored the importance of identifying operational gaps early, adhering to
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statutory timelines, and ensuring the consistent implementation of approved electoral procedures.
He also challenged the officers to demonstrate exemplary leadership, uphold the highest standards of professionalism and accountability, manage resources prudently and foster constructive engagement with stakeholders. The engagement forms part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen field coordination, anticipate and mitigate operational risks, and enhance institutional preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
The Chairperson congratulated them on their appointment and underscored the critical role they will play in translating the Commission’s policies,
I underscore the importance of identifying operational gaps early, adhering to statutory timelines and ensuring the consistent implementation of approved electoral procedures.
Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC, Chairperson —
decisions and Election Operations Plan into effective, coordinated and accountable electoral delivery at the county and constituency levels.
With 306 days to the 2027 General Election, the Chairperson emphasized that electoral preparedness is not built on Election Day, but through deliberate planning, sustained coordination and decisive action well in advance.
He challenged the Deputy Directors to provide strong and accountable leadership in the field, strengthen coordination across the Commission’s structures and ensure that operational plans are translated into measurable results and tangible progress.
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Security IEBC engages security stakeholders to review plans to conduct peaceful polls he Commission last week convened Election Security Arrangements Programme (ESAP) roundtable meetings, with support from the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (Elgia Afric). The meetings brought together T security agencies and other stakeholders across six clusters in Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa, Nyeri, Kisumu, and Nairobi/Kajiado.
“The engagements seek to strengthen the safety and security of voters, election officials, electoral materials, facilities, and infrastructure, while promoting accountability, the rule of law, and public confidence in the electoral process. Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC, Chairperson -
The Commission hosted Election Security Arrangements Programme roundtable meetings, with support from Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (Elgia Afric). The meetings held in Mombasa, Nakuru, Garissa, Nyeri, Kisumu and Nairobi/ Kajiado sought to strengthen the safety and security of voters and election officials. (Photos: Communication Team)
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The Constitution places the responsibility for conducting elections on the Commission under Article 88. At the same time, Article 81 requires elections to be free and fair and conducted without violence, intimidation, improper influence, or corruption. However, peaceful elections are a shared responsibility.
They depend on every institution playing its part, every leader promoting responsible discourse, every political party respecting the rules, every citizen rejecting incitement, and every community choosing peace over division.
Building on collaboration between the Commission, the National Police Service (NPS), and other stakeholders since 2013, ESAP provides a platform to assess election risks, identify emerging threats, strengthen coordination, and develop timely responses before, during, and after electoral activities.
As the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, the engagements seek to strengthen the
safety and security of voters, election officials, electoral materials, facilities, and infrastructure, while promoting accountability, the rule of law, and public confidence in the electoral process..
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, the Commission remains committed to strategically deploying technology to deliver efficient, accurate, transparent and accountable electoral processes.
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Monitoring
IEBC develops results-based framework to guide implementation of Strategic Plan he Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), with support from the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa ( Elgia Afric ), is developing a Results- Based Management (RBM) Framework to guide T the implementation of the Commission’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027.
“This framework will strengthen the Commission’s focus on measurable results and continuous improvement by establishing clear performance indicators, responsibilities and mechanisms for tracking implementation.
The Commission, with support from the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), during the workshop to develop a Results-Based Management (RBM) Framework to guide the implementation of the Commission’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027. (Photos: Faith Njeri)
The Framework will strengthen the Commission’s focus on measurable results, accountability and continuous improvement by establishing clear performance indicators, responsibilities and mechanisms for tracking implementation and reporting progress to stakeholders and the public.
It will also provide timely and reliable performance information to support evidence-based decisionmaking, including resource allocation, performance improvement and timely adjustments to strategies where necessary.
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By-election
Commission team meets to strategise on conduct of the Migwani Ward by-election
The Commission convened election officials for a planning meeting ahead of the Migwani Ward MCA by-election scheduled for 17 November 2026. Participants reviewed key activities and timelines, budgets, operational procedures, emerging issues and mitigation measures. (Photos: Linda Mworia)
he Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) convened election officials for a planning meeting ahead of the Migwani Ward MCA by-election scheduled for 17 TNovember 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening preparedness, aligning operational plans and drawing lessons from previous by-elections to inform effective delivery of the upcoming poll.
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While opening the meeting, Adan Harar Noor, the Ag. Director Electoral Operations (DEO), underscored the importance of thorough planning, continuous learning, teamwork and professionalism in delivering a credible election.
Participants reviewed key activities and timelines, budgets, operational procedures, emerging issues and mitigation measures as the Commission prepares to deliver a free, fair, and credible by-election.
Representation
Stakeholders discuss ways to implement Two-Thirds Gender Principle in 2027 polls
The Commission led by Commissioner Dr. Ann Nderitu, CBS, participated in a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Mechanisms for the Realisation of the Not More Than Two-Thirds Gender Principle in the 2027 General Election and beyond. The event was organised by the The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya. (Photos: Dan Mathenge)
Cfor the Realisation of the Not More Than Two-Thirds Gender Principle in the 2027 General Election and beyond, organised by the The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya.
The dialogue brought together Members of
ommissioner Dr. Ann Nderitu, CBS, represented the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Mechanisms
Parliament, State institutions, Constitutional Commissions, political and electoral institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on practical mechanisms for advancing the implementation of this constitutional gender principle.
In her speech, Dr. Nderitu highlighted IEBC role in promoting compliance with the constitutional and electoral framework, including regulating aspects of
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political party nominations, reviewing applicable party and Social Inclusion Policy. lists, issuing guidelines and engaging political parties and stakeholders on inclusive participation.
She also highlighted the Commission’s role in allocating gender top-up seats in County Assemblies and IEBC efforts to promote the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised through voter education, stakeholder engagement and the implementation of the Gender
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The dialogue, convened by NGEC with the support of UN Women Kenya and in collaboration with the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA), provided a platform for stakeholders to consider legislative initiatives currently before Parliament and identify practical mechanisms for advancing the Two- Thirds Gender Principle ahead of the 2027 General Election and beyond.
Inclusion IEBC advocates for stakeholder support to enhance inclusivity in elective positions ndependent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice-Chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdalla, OGW, represented Commission Chairperson Erastus Ethekon at a policy dialogue forum convened by the National Gender and I Equality Commission (NGEC). The dialogue centred on promoting meaningful participation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in political party leadership, governance and decision-making ahead of the
Inclusive nominations create opportunities for diverse voices to compete for leadership and contribute to decisions that shape their communities and the country. Fahima Araphat Abdalla, Vice Chairperson -
Vice-Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdalla, OGW, represented the Commission during a policy dialogue forum convened by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC). The dialogue centred on promoting meaningful participation of Special Interest Groups in political party leadership, governance and decision-making ahead of 2027 General Election. (Photos: Eddah Karingi)
2027 General Election.
The dialogue brought together representatives of political parties and key institutions to examine barriers to inclusive political participation and explore practical strategies for strengthening the representation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities in political leadership and decision-making.
Vice-Chairperson Fahima highlighted the Commission’s ongoing initiatives to advance gender equality and social inclusion in electoral processes. These include reviewing political party nomination rules and party lists for compliance with constitutional requirements, pursuing electoral legal reforms to strengthen equitable representation, implementing the Gender and Social Inclusion Policy, promoting accessible voter registration and targeted voter education, as well as supporting measures such as reduced nomination fees for eligible candidates.
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“Inclusive nominations create opportunities for diverse voices to compete for leadership and contribute to decisions that shape their communities and the country,” she said.
As the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, IEBC continues to engage political parties and stakeholders to promote fair, accessible and constitutionally compliant electoral processes, ensuring that inclusion remains central to Kenya’s democratic journey.