IEBC chiefs, MPs meet on 2027 elections roadmap

The newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission leadership and MPs have begun crucial discussions to align on a clear roadmap for the 2027 general election. Top of their agenda is to rebuild public trust and address pending electoral reforms with barely 24 months left until the next general election. 

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula emphasised the urgency of restoring credibility, warning that failure to do so risked another fiercely contested poll. 

The meeting, which brought together IEBC chairperson Erastus Ekethon, vice chairperson Fahima Abdallah and key parliamentary leaders, focused on immediate priorities including boundary delimitation, voter registration, and results transmission systems. 

Wetang’ula challenged the commissioners to rise above partisan interests, stating, “You are the electoral commission for the Republic of Kenya. Regardless of where you come from, your duty is to serve all Kenyans equally.”

He added: “The Kenyan people expect from you nothing short of impartiality, integrity, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the constitutional mandate bestowed upon the commission." 

He urged the commissioners to “avoid any temptation to act as representatives of particular communities”. 

“In an era where credible electoral processes underpin political stability and national development, the public looks to safeguard the sanctity of their vote and uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability,” he added. 

The IEBC in-tray is already packed with urgent constitutional responsibilities and a demanding workload, including boundary delimitation, voter registration, register audit and conducting pending by-elections. 

The activities are besides preparations for the general election, a process that is equally demanding, especially with the opposition warning against any attempts at foul play in their bid to dislodge President William Ruto. 

“There is no time for excuses; it is time for action and your tray is full. Parliament will not micromanage the commission. You are an independent institution and our role is to appropriate funds, provide oversight and audit and this we shall do,” Wetang’ula declared. 

Lawmakers raised concerns over the compressed election timeline, with majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah noting that the 2027 polls were less than two years away. 

“Let’s ensure that you are adequately prepared,” the Kikuyu lawmaker said. 

Budget committee chairperson Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga MP) acknowledged funding constraints but assured the commission of parliamentary support while urging cost-cutting measures. 

The IEBC has requested Sh64 billion to manage the elections, a figure MPs described as unsustainable given Kenya’s fiscal pressures. 

“The cost of elections in Kenya is extremely high; you must review the budget and find ways of bringing it down because we are also not in a very good fiscal space,” Atandi said. 

Trust emerged as a recurring theme, with Gilgil MP Martha Wangari noting the agency begins its tenure with a “trust deficit” that must be urgently addressed. 

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo stressed that legitimacy must be earned through transparency, particularly in tallying and results transmission—a persistent flashpoint in past elections. 

Amollo, a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, urged the new team to demonstrate fairness, transparency and professionalism in all their actions. 

“The voting in Kenya is not a problem; the big issue is tallying and transmission of results, which is one area I want you to focus on,” the senior counsel said. 

In response, the vice chair outlined plans to register six million new voters, with a focus on youth engagement. “We must move beyond lamentations and make young people feel represented in this process,” Abdallah said. 

The IEBC boss pledged to run a people-driven commission, committing to integrity and accountability in all processes. 

“Under my leadership, the IEBC would become 'the people’s commission,' dedicated to upholding the rights of every Kenyan and stakeholder,” Ekethon said. 

He pledged to guide the agency with integrity, transparency and accountability to restore confidence in the country’s electoral process. 

With pending by-elections, delayed boundary reviews and an overhaul of the voter register among pressing tasks, both the commission and legislators agreed on the need for expedited action. 

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, vice chair of JLAC, pressed for clarity on timelines, particularly for long-overdue by-elections like Banisa constituency, which has lacked representation since 2023.