The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced plans to train 200,000 police and special police officers as part of preparations for security during the 2027 General Election.
The training is part of the commission’s Election Security and Electoral Risk Management programme, which brings together the IEBC, security agencies and the Judiciary to prepare for possible threats before, during and after the polls.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission was taking measures to ensure the August 10, 2027 election is peaceful, free, fair and credible.
“Together with stakeholders, we are ready to take extraordinary measures to ensure the 10th August General Election is peaceful, free, fair and credible to guarantee the stability and development of Kenya,” Ethekon said.
He said the 2027 election would test the country’s preparedness to protect democratic institutions and ensure political competition remains within the law.
“We must review the lessons learnt from the past to ensure the political competition remains lawful and peaceful. Elections come and go but we shall always remain as Kenya,” he said.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the security preparedness plan would run from September through the election period and into the post-election period.
Kanja said the National Police Service would strengthen coordination, training, leadership sensitisation, deployment planning and communication ahead of the polls.
“The National Police Service commits to undertake and support IEBC deliver on its mandate and will avail all resources to ensure we have a free, fair and peaceful election,” Kanja said.
He added: “I urge all to remember that we only have one country, Kenya.”
The security preparations will also focus on early warning and risk analysis, prevention of violence, monitoring of incidents, response and intervention.
Hassan Noor Hassan, chairperson of the Election Security and Electoral Risks Management Committee, said the IEBC depended on security agencies because the commission does not have enforcement powers.
“The Commission does not have instruments for enforcement of security and therefore relies on the security agencies to conduct peaceful elections,” Hassan said.
He said the security strategy would also cover electoral gender-based violence, public engagement, communication and coordination among institutions.
The commission said its systems had also undergone testing during 32 by-elections held over the past year.
“We have had 32 by-elections in the last one year and the Commission systems were tested and returned 100% accurate,” Hassan said.
“IEBC guarantees you of a perfect system that will deliver free, fair, transparent and credible 2027 General Election,” he added.
Hassan also appealed to political parties and candidates to accept the outcome of the election.
“Our appeal to the political class is to ask them to accept the election result with humility to enhance peace and legitimacy,” he said.
Chief guest Justice Daniel Musinga said the Judiciary would prioritise election-related cases, particularly criminal matters, and called for judges and magistrates handling electoral disputes to be protected.
“Violence, intimidation, bribery and the distraction of electoral material must be addressed through an effective criminal justice process,” Musinga said.
He said the Judiciary would work with other institutions to ensure electoral offences are investigated and prosecuted effectively.
IEBC Commission Secretary and CEO Ruth Kulundu said electoral integrity could not be separated from security, adding that the commission’s security programme was designed to promote cooperation between the public, police and other institutions.
The commission said the security plan would cover the entire electoral period, with preparations extending beyond the 2027 polls.
