Chief Justice Martha Koome has called for urgent reforms to Kenya's electoral laws and stronger safeguards around election technology, warning that technology on its own cannot guarantee credible elections.
Speaking during the launch of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and Election Operation Plan 2025–2027, Koome said the country must address legal gaps exposed during previous elections and create a more coherent electoral framework ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the two documents will guide preparations for the next election and deepen public participation in democratic processes.
Koome said elections should not be viewed as events that occur only on polling day but as continuous processes that require strong institutions, adequate resources, effective planning and sound laws.
"I am particularly encouraged that this Strategic Plan identifies strengthening of the electoral legal framework as a key strategic priority," she said. "We must address legal gaps identified during previous electoral cycles and ensure that electoral timelines, dispute resolution mechanisms and election management processes are clearly defined and understood."
Her remarks come against the backdrop of Kenya's turbulent electoral history, marked by disputed results, prolonged court battles and episodes of election-related violence that have claimed lives and destroyed property.
The Chief Justice also cautioned against overreliance on technology in elections, saying innovations such as electronic voter identification and results transmission systems can only inspire confidence if backed by robust legal and institutional safeguards.
"We must ensure that our legal frameworks adequately address issues of data protection, cybersecurity, transparency in electoral technologies and accountability in electronic electoral processes," she said.
Koome further urged the IEBC to provide clear guidelines on the deployment, management and auditing of electoral technologies to ensure that innovation strengthens, rather than undermines, public confidence in elections.
She also welcomed the Commission's commitment to inclusion and equal political participation, saying women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities should be active participants in the country's democratic processes.
The Chief Justice said public trust remains the ultimate test of any electoral reform process.
"Public trust cannot be demanded; it must be earned through integrity, accountability and continuous improvement," she said.
She called on political parties, state institutions, civil society, the media and citizens to work together in creating an environment that allows the electoral commission to discharge its constitutional mandate and deliver elections that are free, fair, peaceful and widely trusted.
