UN Pledges Support for Kenya’s 2027 Elections After Signing Deal With IEBC

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the United Nations have signed an Electoral Support Programme Document as Kenya steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), various UN agencies, the Office of the Attorney General, the National Treasury, diplomatic missions and development partners.

The event also brought together representatives from the European Union, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other key electoral stakeholders.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the partnership with the United Nations marked an important step in preparations for the next General Election.

“The partnership we are formalising today with the United Nations is a significant milestone,” Ethekon said.

He noted that the IEBC could not deliver credible elections on its own and called for cooperation among all stakeholders.

“The IEBC cannot do it alone. Credible elections require the partnership of Government, Parliament, Judiciary, media, civil society, development partners and, above all, the people of Kenya,” he said.

Ethekon urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the 2027 General Election becomes “a defining moment for Kenya’s democracy.”

UN Pledges Support for Kenya’s IEBC

UN Resident Coordinator Garry Conille reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s electoral process.

He said the programme was developed following Kenya’s request for international support.

“A government that is confident in its institutions does not shy away from scrutiny; it welcomes it,” Conille said.

He clarified that the United Nations would not interfere with Kenya’s elections but would support the country’s institutions.

“Our role is not to influence Kenya’s elections, but to support and strengthen Kenyan institutions so they are fully equipped to deliver a credible electoral process,” he said.

Conille described the signing as “the beginning of a disciplined and deliberate journey of implementation.”

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Programme to Promote Inclusion and Public Trust Before the General Election 

UNDP Resident Representative Jean-Luc Stalon said the Electoral Support Programme builds on the United Nations’ long-standing partnership with Kenya.

He said the programme would go beyond technical support for the IEBC and focus on inclusion, public trust, peacebuilding and cooperation among electoral stakeholders.

Stalon described the programme as a shared investment in Kenya’s democratic future.

He maintained the United Nations’ commitment to working with the IEBC, the Government, development partners and other stakeholders to support peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible elections in 2027.

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EU Confirms Support for Peaceful Elections

The European Union welcomed the programme and confirmed its continued support for peaceful and credible elections in Kenya.

“Our shared objective is clear: to ensure that Kenya’s elections are both credible and peaceful,” the EU representative said.

The representative also stressed the importance of voter education.

“An informed electorate is fundamental to the credibility and legitimacy of any democratic election,” the representative said.

The Office of the Attorney General also pledged continued legal support for the programme.

Representing the Attorney General, Solicitor General Shadrack Mose said the agreement demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening key institutions that protect Kenya’s constitutional democracy.

He said electoral preparedness would play a critical role in determining the success of the 2027 General Election.

“Electoral preparedness remains one of the most important determinants of a successful election,” Mose said.

He added that credible elections were essential for “peace, stability, good governance and sustainable development.”

National Treasury Highlights Need for Funding

The National Treasury also emphasised the importance of adequate and sustained funding for electoral preparations.

Representing the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury, Director General for Public Debt Management Raphael Owino described the partnership as timely and important for both the IEBC and the country.

“Conducting credible elections requires substantial financial, technical and human resources,” Owino said.

He encouraged more development partners to support the programme, saying the shared goal was to ensure Kenya held elections that were peaceful, transparent, inclusive and credible.

He said the elections should also inspire confidence among all citizens.

The Electoral Support Programme will support several areas as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.

These include electoral management, voter education, public communication and institutional capacity building.

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IEBC and the United Nations have signed an Electoral Support Programme Document as Kenya steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election
PHOTO/IEBC