Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confers with PCS Musalia Mudavadi during the 15th Development Partnership Forum in Karen, Nairobi, September 16, 2026/HANDOUT
The assurances came at a time the 2027 race is gathering steam, with the opposition raising concerns over the preparedness of the electoral agency IEBC.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi yesterday insisted the government would ensure the elections are held on schedule.
The DP said there would be no shortcuts in the electoral process. He urged development partners interested in supporting democracy to work through established institutions.
“We want to assure our partners the government of Kenya under President Willam Ruto believes in democracy, rule of law and all the other things that underpin our constitutional order. We want to assure the world that Kenya will have free, fair and verifiable elections next year,” Kindiki said.
He spoke when he co-chaired the 15th Development Partnership Forum at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi.
The forum brought together development partners, diplomats, representatives of international and humanitarian agencies, Cabinet and principal secretaries and officials from independent commissions and offices.
United Nations resident coordinator Garry Conille and German Ambassador Sebastian Groth, were among those who attended the meeting.
Kindiki said the country had a long-standing tradition of holding elections as provided for in the constitution and would not depart from it in 2027.
“The election will be held on schedule and will be fair and without any shortcuts because we pride ourselves as a democratic nation that believes in the rule of law, democracy, human rights and holding periodic elections,” he said.
Opposition leaders have over time cast doubt about the readiness and independence of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The Kalonzo Musyoka-led team has been concerned about procurement of election technology, voter registration, security and the commission's overall preparedness.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has challenged IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon to explain the commission's level of preparedness for the polls.
He wants the commission ‘to sit with everybody, including the opposition and explain the level of preparedness, for the opposition team to make suggestions.
Kalonzo has been holding that the IEBC had not adequately addressed issues raised by the opposition.
Their take is that failure to bring all stakeholders into discussions on preparations could put the credibility of the electoral process into question.
Key to them is about the technology to be deployed in the election and the integrity of the voter register.
The concerns have also extended to the IEBC’s internal capacity and financing.
MPs have questioned why key director-level positions at the IEBC remained occupied in an acting capacity months to the polls.
In July, Ethekon outlined operational milestones and called for timely electoral reforms and cooperation among justice-sector institutions to support a credible election.
Kindiki yesterday invited development partners to participate in the electoral process through formal channels.
He vouched for mechanisms including supporting the IEBC, civil society organisations and election observation missions.
“There will be no compromise on the credibility of the election,” Kindiki said.
Mudavadi echoed the DP, saying Kenya had conducted elections according to the constitutional timetable and would maintain the tradition.
“We have had a tradition of ensuring our elections are held on schedule. We do not intend to breach the tradition we have already established. We will have elections on schedule and will be constitutional,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also cautioned against misinformation, saying the country's vibrant media environment could sometimes amplify claims and create a perception of a crisis where none existed.
“Kenya is vibrant in the media space. There could be a lot of misinformation which could create a crisis where there is none,” Mudavadi said.
He said the government was opposed to violence and any actions that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
“We condemn violence or any flaws that can cast doubt on the election process. We want to ensure people understand the rules of the game. We don't want rules changed when the game has already started,” Mudavadi said.
He said the country had held 12 election cycles and remained consistent in conducting elections on schedule.
The forum also focused on youth and development, with the leaders calling for more support for programmes targeting employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and access to finance.
Kindiki cited initiatives including Nyota, KJET, Kazi Kwa Ground, Kazi Mtandaoni and Kazi Majuu as part of government efforts to expand opportunities for young people.
He also called on development partners to support preparations for forecast El Niño rains expected from October.
The DP announced that a multi-agency team had been established to prepare for the anticipated effects.
