The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has unveiled its Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and Election Operation Plan (EOP) 2025–2027, setting out an ambitious roadmap aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, transparency and preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the launch marks the beginning of a deliberate effort to rebuild public trust and ensure credible elections anchored on accountability and constitutional fidelity.
“By unveiling these two strategic documents we set in motion a deliberate, transparent and accountable journey towards the 2027 General Election,” Ethekon said, adding that the Commission is committed to safeguarding the sovereign will of Kenyans.
The Strategic Plan is anchored on the theme “Inclusion and Participation in Deepening Democracy in Kenya” under the slogan “Your Vote, Your Voice – Kura Yako, Sauti Yako,” with a focus on citizen engagement, institutional governance, effective election management and equitable representation.
Ethekon said the plans are the result of extensive consultations with stakeholders including political parties, civil society groups, development partners and state agencies, and are informed by lessons from past electoral cycles.
However, the announcement comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over Kenya’s electoral history, with critics pointing to recurring cycles of election-related violence, allegations of rigging and disputes over results that have at times escalated into national crises.
In previous elections, tensions following disputed outcomes have triggered unrest in parts of the country, with human rights organisations documenting loss of life, displacement of families and destruction of property. Allegations of manipulation of results and mistrust in transmission systems have also been central to post-election disputes over the years.
Ethekon acknowledged these challenges indirectly, noting that the Commission has studied past election observation reports, court rulings and post-election evaluations in designing the new reforms.
“I wish to assure all Kenyans that the Commission has listened to your expectations,” he said. “We have reflected on lessons from previous electoral cycles.”
He pledged that the IEBC would protect the integrity and secrecy of the vote and ensure that future elections reflect the genuine will of the people.
“The success of any election is not the responsibility of the Commission alone,” he added, calling on political parties, candidates, state institutions, the media, civil society and citizens to play their role in safeguarding democracy.
The IEBC said the Election Operation Plan 2025–2027 will provide the practical roadmap for election preparations, including timelines, responsibilities and operational milestones ahead of 2027.
Despite the Commission’s reform agenda, public debate over electoral credibility remains strong, with stakeholders continuing to call for deeper reforms to address long-standing concerns over violence, trust and transparency in Kenya’s electoral process.
