IEBC and UN Sign Electoral Support Agreement to Strengthen Credible and Inclusive 2027 General Election Preparations

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the United Nations have officially signed the Electoral Support Programme Document, marking a major milestone in preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The Programme Document was signed during a ceremony attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN agencies, the Office of the Attorney General, the National Treasury, diplomatic missions, including the British High Commission and the Embassies of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union, JICA, development partners and other key electoral stakeholders.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the partnership reflects the Commission's commitment to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

"The partnership we are formalising today with the United Nations is a significant milestone," the Chairperson said, adding that "the IEBC cannot do it alone. Credible elections require the partnership of Government, Parliament, Judiciary, media, civil society, development partners and, above all, the people of Kenya." The Chairperson urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the 2027 General Election becomes "a defining moment for Kenya's democracy."

The United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr. Garry Conille reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting Kenya's electoral process, noting that the programme is rooted in the country's request for international support.

"A government that is confident in its institutions does not shy away from scrutiny it welcomes it," the Resident Coordinator said. Emphasising the UN's role, the coordinator added, "Our role is not to influence Kenya's elections, but to support and strengthen Kenyan institutions so they are fully equipped to deliver a credible electoral process," describing the signing as "the beginning of a disciplined and deliberate journey of implementation."

The UNDP Resident Representative, Jean-Luc Stalon, said the Electoral Support Programme builds on the United Nations' long-standing partnership with Kenya in strengthening democratic governance and supporting the country's electoral processes. The Representative noted that the programme extends beyond technical electoral assistance to promote inclusion, public trust, peacebuilding and stakeholder collaboration.

He emphasized that the programme represents a shared investment in Kenya's democratic future and reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to working alongside the IEBC, Government, development partners and other stakeholders to deliver peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections in 2027.

Ondrej Simek, Deputy Head of Mission (EU Delegation to Kenya) welcomed the programme and reaffirmed continued support towards peaceful and credible elections.

"Our shared objective is clear to ensure that Kenya's elections are both credible and peaceful," the representative said, adding that "an informed electorate is fundamental to the credibility and legitimacy of any democratic election," he said.

The Office of the Attorney General also pledged continued legal support for the programme. Representing the Attorney General, Solicitor General Hon. Shadrack Mose described the signing as "our shared commitment to strengthening one of the key institutions entrusted with safeguarding Kenya's constitutional democracy." The representative noted that "electoral preparedness remains one of the most important determinants of a successful election" and reaffirmed that credible elections are essential for "peace, stability, good governance and sustainable development."

National Treasury also underscored the importance of sustained financing for electoral preparedness. Representing the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury, Director General for Public Debt Management, Mr. Raphael Owino, described the partnership as "timely and extremely important, not only for the IEBC but also for the country as a whole," noting that "conducting credible elections requires substantial financial, technical and human resources." He encouraged more partners to support the initiative, stressing that the common goal is "to ensure that Kenya delivers elections that are peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible, and that inspire confidence among all citizens."

The Programme will support electoral management, voter education, public communication, institutional capacity building, inclusion, peacebuilding and stakeholder collaboration as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.