IEBC receives Ksh.1.7B boost from UNDP to support election preparedness

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a Ksh.1.7 billion (USD 13.3 million) Electoral Support Programme aimed at strengthening Kenya's preparedness for the 2027 General Election.

Signed on Thursday at IEBC's Anniversary Towers, the programme aims to fund and support the commission's election preparedness efforts, including continuous voter registration, civic and voter education, staff training, public communication, and outreach to women, youth and underserved communities.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator Garry Conille said the programme goes beyond financial and technical assistance, noting that its primary objective is to strengthen Kenya's electoral institutions, safeguard human rights and promote public confidence in the electoral process.

"The role of the United Nations is not to conduct Kenya's elections, but to strengthen the institutions responsible for delivering them," Conille said, adding that the success of the programme will depend on the collective responsibility of government institutions, political actors, civil society, the media and citizens.

The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peaceful, credible and transparent elections, saying the partnership will help prevent both online and physical election-related violence while promoting citizen participation and the involvement of civil society in the electoral process.

Solicitor General Shadrack Mose, representing the Office of the Attorney General, described the signing as a demonstration of the stakeholders' shared commitment to delivering elections in line with the Constitution.

He said successful electoral preparedness requires sound planning, civic education, public participation, effective dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms, prudent use of resources and collaboration among institutions, the media, security agencies and citizens.

Representing the National Treasury, Raphael Owino acknowledged the resource constraints facing the IEBC and said the UN-supported programme would complement government efforts in financing election preparedness. He also urged other development partners to continue supporting activities aimed at strengthening Kenya's electoral process.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission has already registered more than 2.5 million voters through the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise and has undertaken several preparations ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ethekon said the partnership will strengthen staff training, voter education, public communication and voter registration, particularly among women, young people and underserved communities. He assured Kenyans that all resources received under the programme will be utilised prudently and subjected to regular audits to ensure accountability.

He further appealed to Kenyans to remain calm and maintain confidence in the commission, saying the IEBC remains committed to delivering a free, fair, transparent and credible General Election in 2027.