The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Monday convened a high-level stakeholder forum to review the November 27 by-elections, with Chairperson Erastus Ethekon offering what participants described as the most candid and detailed account of the Commission’s readiness since his appointment.
Supported by CMD Kenya, the session brought together political parties, observers, security agencies, civil society groups and the media—an audience that has often challenged the Commission to demonstrate improved transparency after years of electoral disputes.
Ethekon said the November mini-polls were a critical test of the Commission’s operational capacity, citing gains such as polling stations opening on time, KIEMS kits delivering over 99 percent functionality, transparent counting, timely transmission of results, and improved coordination with security agencies across the 22 electoral areas. He added that disputes and complaints were handled “firmly and professionally” despite attempts to influence election officials and isolated security incidents.
The Chairperson acknowledged existing gaps, including voter apathy, logistical constraints, misinformation and challenges posed by multiple security environments. “These issues were handled without compromising the integrity of the vote,” he said, framing the by-elections as a rehearsal for the 2027 General Election.
Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan praised IEBC staff, security teams, political actors and observers for ensuring orderly polling and smooth voter identification. He noted that 173 observer missions were deployed. “The scale of the exercise offered valuable insights into IEBC’s logistical systems, stakeholder engagement and field operations,” he said.
Ethekon explained that the by-elections were supported by a KSh798 million allocation, which helped cushion the Commission from initial exchequer delays. Part of the funding went into voter education and outreach—areas the Commission says will be strengthened ahead of the next electoral cycle.
CMD Kenya Executive Director Frankline Mukwanja said youth participation remained a weak point in Kenya’s democracy. “They form the largest voting bloc but remain disengaged or skeptical. We must bridge this gap,” he told the forum, describing the by-elections as a test of the entire electoral ecosystem, not just the Commission.
Media safety emerged as a major concern, with Kenya Editors Guild President Zubeida Kananu warning that journalists continue to face violence during elections. “When the media is targeted, democracy is blindfolded,” she said, urging the National Police Service to prosecute officers captured attacking journalists during coverage.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations defended police neutrality, saying officers act strictly within the law. DCI Director Mohamed Amin insisted that the service will pursue offenders without regard to political affiliation. “We deal with goons as goons, and criminals carry no political labels,” he said, adding that several suspects arrested during the by-elections are already in court.
The forum closed with a shared concern: that Kenya’s 2027 General Election will demand deeper collaboration among institutions, political actors and citizens—a challenge stakeholders agreed must be addressed long before the next campaign season begins.
