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People Dialogue Festival Opens in Nairobi as Leaders Rally for Election Preparedness:

Hon. Kiraitu Murungi leads democratic stakeholders in four-day national dialogue forum

NAIROBI, March 4, 2026, George Mutua.

 The 8th Edition of the People Dialogue Festival (PDF) was officially opened today in Nairobi by Hon. Kiraitu Murungi, Chairperson of the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya), bringing together a diverse cross-section of Kenya's democratic stakeholders for comprehensive deliberations on election preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The four-day national civic platform has attracted over 30 political parties across the political divide, more than 50 civil society organizations, and key state agencies, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) leading technical sessions on electoral preparedness.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Murungi emphasized the urgent need for structured dialogue as the country approaches the election cycle.

"We gather here not as competitors but as stakeholders in Kenya's democratic future," Murungi stated. "The Centre for Multiparty Democracy exists to strengthen democratic culture through dialogue over division, and issues over personalities. This Festival represents our collective commitment to that vision."

The electoral commission's leadership turned out in force, with IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon leading a high-level delegation of commissioners and technical staff. The Commission is conducting reflections on election preparedness, addressing voter registration and inclusion, electoral integrity and technology, political party preparedness, dispute resolution mechanisms, and civic education and public trust.

In a significant practical intervention, the Commission has activated voter registration services at the festival venue, enabling eligible Kenyans to register and update their details throughout the four-day event.

The opening session witnessed impressive representation from across Kenya's democratic ecosystem. Professionals from various sectors, including members of the paramelan society, contributed immensely to the early deliberations, bringing technical expertise to discussions on governance reforms.

Social society leaders and non-governmental organizations actively participated in shaping conversations on civic education and public trust, while political party representatives from across the spectrum engaged in sessions on party reforms and preparedness.

Youth and student delegations from high schools, tertiary, and higher learning institutions brought intergenerational perspectives to the dialogue, ensuring that younger voices shape conversations about their electoral future.


The Festival combines joint plenary sessions addressing issues of national interest with "Gumzos" structured, stakeholder-specific thematic dialogue areas that allow deeper engagement on specialized themes including electoral integrity, political party reforms, governance accountability, gender equality, and social inclusion.

Today's opening follows months of preparatory engagements since October 2025, including high-level policy dialogues with national leaders and governance experts, county town hall forums amplifying grassroots voices, and school and campus dialogues engaging young people on democratic participation.

The Festival is expected to culminate in the ratification of a consolidated, issue-based national agenda to guide democratic engagement beyond the event.

"We are building toward a national issue-based agenda that will outlast this Festival," Hon. Murungi told participants. "These conversations are part of a sustained national effort to institutionalize issue-based politics in Kenya's democratic culture."

The People Dialogue Festival continues through Sunday, with sessions open to media and members of the public seeking to engage in conversations shaping Kenya's electoral future.

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