CALLS FOR URGENT RECONSTITUTION OF IEBC AND OTHER PRESSING ELECTORAL ISSUES

 From left, Sheila Masinde, Frankline Mukwanja, Mulle Musau and Felix Odhiambo.

Prominent electoral reform advocates took the stage today in Nairobi to issue a joint press statement on Kenya’s electoral preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election. Sheila Masinde, Frankline Mukwanja, Mulle Musau and Felix Odhiambo, representing various civil society organizations, addressed pressing concerns surrounding the stalled reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and broader electoral reforms.

Taking the lead, Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), highlighted the urgent need for the swift reconstitution of the IEBC. She lamented that for over two years, the country has lacked an electoral commission, a situation that threatens democratic stability. “The IEBC is the backbone of free, fair, and credible elections. We cannot afford further delays in its reconstitution. We call on the selection panel to act independently and transparently to restore public trust in the process,” she emphasized.

Frankline Mukwanja, Executive Director of the Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya), focused on political responsibility in electoral integrity. He called on political leaders to respect the IEBC recruitment process, urging Parliament and the Executive to expedite their roles in appointing commissioners. “Kenya’s democracy depends on impartial institutions, not political interference. Let the selection panel work without undue influence,” Mukwanja insisted.

Speaking on the urgent tasks awaiting the new IEBC, Mulle Musau, National Coordinator of the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), underscored the delayed boundary delimitation, pending by-elections, and the need for a credible voter register. “We have constituencies without representation, a legal requirement for boundary reviews that is long overdue, and a voter register that must be independently audited. These tasks cannot wait,” Musau warned. He also stressed the importance of adequate budgetary allocations, noting that underfunding the electoral body could derail preparations for the 2027 polls.

Rounding off the addresses, Felix Odhiambo, Executive Director of the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), tackled the issuance of National Identification (ID) cards and voter registration. While acknowledging recent improvements in issuing IDs to school leavers, he pointed out persistent challenges in ID replacement, access for border counties, and collection delays. “For a truly inclusive election, every eligible Kenyan must have an ID and be registered as a voter. We need urgent reforms in ID processing, including digital applications, decentralized collection centers, and fee reductions for replacements,” Odhiambo stated.

The Uchaguzi Platform collectively outlined urgent recommendations:
 IEBC Reconstitution, The selection panel must conduct a transparent, inclusive, and independent recruitment process free from political interference.
 Timely Legislative Reforms, Parliament must fast-track electoral bills, particularly those affecting campaign financing, political party regulations, and IEBC functions.
 Voter Registration & ID Issuance, The government must improve ID issuance and integrate voter registration into an accessible, streamlined process.
Public Engagement in Reforms, Electoral changes should undergo rigorous public consultation to reflect the people's will.

The leaders closed their addresses by stressing the urgency of reform. “Kenya cannot afford to gamble with its democracy,” Sheila Masinde concluded. “The time for action is now. We call on all stakeholders, Parliament, the Executive, political parties, civil society, and the people of Kenya, to work together to ensure a free, fair, and credible 2027 election.”

With these calls to action, the Uchaguzi Platform reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s democratic process, urging swift action to restore the IEBC, enact necessary reforms, and ensure inclusive electoral participation.

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