The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), in collaboration with the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) and with support from UKaid, commenced a five-day workshop in Nairobi on Monday to chart the roadmap for the 2027 General Election.
The event, held at a Nairobi hotel, focuses on assessing and improving electoral technology, drawing on lessons from past elections, observer reports, and audits to ensure greater efficiency and transparency in Kenya’s electoral processes.
The workshop comes at a critical time for the IEBC, which is under pressure to deliver a credible 2027 election amidst ongoing concerns about delays in its reconstitution and operational readiness. These delays have stalled key activities such as boundary delimitation and by-elections in several constituencies and wards.
Michael Ouma, IEBC’s Director of Information Communication and Technology, underscored the importance of aligning the 2027 roadmap with the commission’s Strategic Plan. He highlighted the growing influence of new media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections, describing them as both opportunities and challenges.
“We must adapt to these technological changes and implement secure, efficient solutions to strengthen our electoral system,” Mr Ouma said, addressing an audience of electoral stakeholders, including ELGIA representatives and international partners.
IEBC Deputy Commission Secretary for Support Services, Obadiah Keitany, reflected on the commission’s progress in integrating technology into electoral processes. He emphasised the need for continuous improvement to maintain public trust in the electoral process.
“During the 2022 General Election, technology was successfully used to transmit presidential election results. Therefore, we must seize this opportunity to refine our systems and serve Kenyans better in the future,” Keitany said.
While these advancements have improved transparency, they have also raised concerns about privacy and data protection, issues that the IEBC aims to address in its 2027 preparations.
