The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Saturday announced its full constitution and operational status, just over a week after its Chairperson and members assumed office on July 11, 2025.
In a press briefing from Mombasa, the Commission outlined its immediate priorities as it gears up for the General Election on August 10, 2027.
A critical immediate focus for the newly constituted IEBC is to address the 23 pending by-elections across the country.
These include one Senate seat, six National Assembly seats, and sixteen Member of County Assembly positions.
For over two and a half years, a constitutional crisis stemming from the absence of a fully constituted Commission has left many Kenyans without representation.
“This is our first priority given the fact that the people in those affected areas must have their elected representatives within the shortest time possible,” stated IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon.
The Commission will engage with Parliament and the National Treasury to secure the necessary budgetary allocations and discuss the re-issuance of expired writs by the Speakers of the respective Houses.
The IEBC assured affected electorates of expedient action to restore their representation.
Resumption of Voter Registration
Responding to sustained public demand, particularly from Kenya’s youth, the IEBC is actively preparing for the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
The process was suspended to facilitate the 2022 General Election and could not resume due to the lack of a fully constituted Commission.
“We hear the voices of young Kenyans demanding the opportunity to be counted and to be actively involved in the democratic processes of rebuilding our country,” the IEBC noted.
The Commission emphasised that a clean and inclusive voter register is fundamental to credible elections. Timelines for the resumption of CVR are expected to be announced via a gazette notice in August 2025.
Learning from the 2022 General Election, the IEBC plans to amplify targeted voter education and structured stakeholder engagements throughout the electoral cycle.
This initiative aims to ensure electoral information is readily available to voters in various formats and spaces, enabling informed choices at the ballot box.
The Commission, mandated by Article 88(4)(g) of the Constitution, will proactively engage the public on its programs and plans to enhance transparency.
Navigating Boundary Delimitation Challenges
The second boundary review for constituencies and wards, constitutionally due by March 6, 2024, faced an unfortunate delay due to the prolonged absence of a substantive Chairperson and Commission members.
The IEBC confirmed it sought legal advice from the Attorney General’s office regarding proceeding with delimitation despite lapsed timelines.
The Attorney General advised seeking an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court, which has since been filed and awaits determination.
The Commission plans to engage stakeholders once the Court renders its advisory.
The IEBC has also undertaken a comprehensive review of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing elections, formulating a set of draft Bills and Regulations.
These proposals, aimed at enhancing the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of Kenya’s electoral processes, have been submitted to the Justice and Legal Affairs Committees of both the National Assembly and the Senate for legislative action.
Key proposals include amendments to the Elections, Political Parties, Election Offences, County Governments, and Election Campaign Financing Bills, all dated 2024, as well as a new Referendum Bill, 2024.
Additionally, reviewed regulations cover general elections, voter registration, voter education, party lists and primaries, technology, and election campaign financing.
The draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations will undergo comprehensive public participation before implementation.
As the IEBC embarks on its roadmap for the 2027 General Election, Ethekon assured the public of the Commission’s preparedness to deliver inclusive, credible, and transparent electoral outcomes in strict adherence to the rule of law.
The successful execution of these activities, however, hinges on timely and adequate funding, for which the IEBC will engage the National Treasury and Parliament.
“A robust democracy relies on institutional integrity and the active participation of the public,” the statement concluded, inviting citizens, parliament, civil society, media, and development partners to collaborate in executing priority tasks.
