Parliament has warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to confront emerging challenges early and protect public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
National Assembly committee chairpersons raised the concerns on Wednesday during engagements with IEBC officials at the Liaison Committee Retreat, where lawmakers examined institutional, legal and operational issues surrounding the next election.
Members urged IEBC chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure institutions entrusted with managing the vote are ready for their responsibilities.
“Members urged IEBC Chairperson, Mr. Erastus Edung Ethekon, to safeguard the integrity of the processes through which citizens exercise their democratic choice, ensure the readiness of the institutions entrusted with that responsibility, and address emerging issues early,” Parliament said.
The lawmakers’ intervention comes as political parties and potential candidates increasingly turn their attention to the 2027 contest, placing greater scrutiny on the institutions that will oversee the vote.
Parliament said the retreat provided an opportunity for Members and the commission to assess the country’s electoral preparedness and reflect on the “institutional, legal and operational issues” that will shape the road to the election.
The focus on early action is significant, given the political sensitivity surrounding Kenya’s electoral processes and the disputes that have accompanied previous elections.
Parliament said the ultimate test should be an electoral system that commands the confidence of voters and protects their democratic choices.
“Ultimately, Kenya’s electoral process must inspire public confidence, safeguard the vote and strengthen the country’s democracy,” the statement said.
The engagement gives Ethekon and the IEBC a clear message as the 2027 election approaches: potential problems must be identified and resolved before they undermine the credibility of the vote.
The commission will now face growing scrutiny over how it translates the discussions into action as political activity gathers pace.
