Resetting the Ballot: IEBC Gets to Work
Kenya now has a fully reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following the swearing-in of a new Chairperson and six Commissioners.
The appointments restore the agency’s full legal and operational mandate, enabling it to resume election management, institutional reform, and preparation for the 2027 General Election.
The Commission has since held its inaugural plenary session and elected Fahima Araphat Abdalla as Vice Chairperson.
The IEBC is also finalizing internal committee leadership, a step seen as crucial in shaping policy direction, operational oversight, and role delegation within the Commission.
An intensive induction program is also planned for all Commissioners, with modules covering electoral law, audit findings from previous polls, stakeholder engagement, voter technology, and cybersecurity.
Addressing the Representation Gap
The Commission’s immediate task includes overseeing by-elections in at least 22 constituencies and wards, where representation is currently absent.
Constituencies such as Kasipul, Malava, Banisa, Magarini, Mbeere North, and Ugunja are among those affected, leaving over 1.2 million Kenyans without parliamentary voice or Constituency Development Fund (CDF) support.
The by-elections are viewed as a litmus test for the reconstituted IEBC, with success depending on timely gazettement of election dates, transparent procurement, professional dispute resolution, and public communication.
Cleaning the Voter Register
The Commission is also expected to embark on a comprehensive audit and clean-up of the voter register.
Key concerns include removal of deceased voters, duplicate records, and outdated entries.
The initiative is seen as critical in restoring public trust in electoral data integrity ahead of the next polls.
Youth Registration to be Prioritized
With over 1 million new eligible voters aged 18–22 since the last election, IEBC is being urged to shift toward youth-centered voter registration.
Suggested strategies include collaborations with influencers, county activations in learning institutions, and civic education campaigns across digital platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
Boundary Review and Legal Reforms on the Agenda
The last electoral boundary review was conducted in 2012.
In line with constitutional requirements, the IEBC is expected to begin the next cycle, factoring in population shifts and representation disparities.
A national review calendar and county-level public forums are part of the anticipated roadmap.
At the legislative level, the Commission is also expected to revive long-pending electoral reform proposals.
These include campaign finance regulations, enforcement of political party accountability, dispute resolution timelines, and polling staff professionalism.