As questions linger over the credibility of Kenya’s last polls, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has turned to international partners in what it describes as an early push to restore public trust ahead of the 2027 General Election.
On Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon hosted Mirko Giulietti, the Swiss Ambassador to Kenya, for a high-level courtesy call focused on election preparedness and institutional reforms.
The meeting, held in Nairobi, centered on strategic priorities for 2027, with particular emphasis on institutional strengthening and capacity building. According to the Commission, the talks explored ways to enhance transparency and rebuild confidence in Kenya’s electoral processes following years of political contestation.
Ambassador Giulietti reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving credibility and accountability within the electoral system. “Credible elections remain the cornerstone of stability and governance,” he said, noting that Kenya’s democratic processes have implications not just locally but across the region.
Ethekon briefed the ambassador on the Commission’s roadmap to 2027, including the planned rollout of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise. The initiative will decentralize voter registration to the ward level, a move the IEBC says is designed to expand access, boost youth participation and close inclusion gaps that have historically locked out marginalized communities.
The Commission argues that taking registration closer to citizens will reduce logistical barriers and improve the accuracy of the voter roll — an issue that has frequently drawn scrutiny during past elections.
Switzerland has previously supported governance and electoral reforms in several countries, and its renewed engagement signals growing international interest in Kenya’s next electoral cycle, which is still more than a year away but already shaping political alignments.
Ambassador Giulietti was accompanied by Leonie Wechsler, an academic intern at the Embassy of Switzerland.
For the IEBC, the early diplomatic outreach appears aimed at projecting preparedness and stability as it begins laying the groundwork for 2027 — an election many analysts say will test not only political alliances but also the resilience of Kenya’s democratic institutions.
