How IEBC can strengthen public confidence ahead of 2027

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is entering a critical period as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, with public confidence in the electoral process remaining a major issue.

The commission nevertheless faces the difficult task of convincing Kenyans that the next election will be conducted transparently, independently and fairly.

One of the biggest challenges is public perception. Elections in Kenya have historically generated intense political competition, with questions surrounding electoral technology, voter registration, results transmission and the conduct of electoral officials often becoming sources of controversy.

For the IEBC, rebuilding confidence therefore requires more than simply insisting that it will deliver a credible election. The commission must demonstrate openness in the way it makes decisions and communicates with political parties, candidates, observers and voters.

Clear communication will be particularly important as the country moves closer to the election. Any significant decision by the commission is likely to attract political scrutiny, making timely explanations and access to information essential in preventing rumours from taking root.

The commission also needs to maintain an equal distance from competing political interests. Its credibility will depend not only on whether it follows the law, but also on whether Kenyans believe it is applying the rules consistently to all sides.

Another important area is the management of electoral preparations. Voter registration, verification of electoral boundaries, procurement, recruitment and training of election officials and preparation of voting materials will all require close public scrutiny.

Transparency in these processes could help reduce suspicion and give stakeholders an opportunity to raise concerns before they develop into major disputes.

Political parties and candidates, meanwhile, have a role to play in protecting the credibility of the electoral process. Constructive engagement with the commission can provide avenues for concerns to be addressed without allowing every disagreement to become a crisis.

Ultimately, the IEBC’s credibility will be determined by what it does in practice.

As the 2027 election approaches, the commission will be under pressure to prove that it can administer an election that meets constitutional and legal requirements while commanding public confidence.

The task ahead is therefore not simply to organise voting. It is to create an electoral environment in which voters, candidates and political parties can trust that the rules are known, consistently applied and capable of producing a credible outcome.

For the new IEBC leadership, that presents both a significant responsibility and an opportunity to establish its own record, separate from the controversies associated with previous commissions.