IEBC Pledges to Deliver Credible 2027 Election with Players’ Support

By Mbungu Harrison & Mwakwaya Raymond

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has pledged to deliver a free, fair and credible electoral process for the 2027 general election with the assistance of all urging stakeholders of good intentions.

Its chair Erastus Ethom Edong, addressing the first ever electoral process preparation forum in Mombasa, said the commission would perform its best to defend Kenya’s constitution 2010 and democracy with the youth in mind to full participate in the electoral process.

“We must build that journey on credibility trust and participation to deliver a transparent and accountable election outcome,” he said Edong flanked by his fellow commissioners.

He reiterates the need of cohesion and proper use of digital media tools to amplify voices on issues that are factual and important to the country without compromising the countries democracy.

“Trust, credibility and confidence is a responsibility of everyone because whatever we do and whatever you do can break this country,” he says adding that with emergence of modern technology, there is likely to be misinformation and disinformation.”

According to him it is illogical to undermine the democratic gains for the sake of viral videos or trends.

He asks Gen-Z to use digital tools positively, noting that the next election will be youth oriented election.

“I appeal to you not to discredit the credibility of IEBC so that we built on trust, and push more kenyans to participate in election processes. Let us defend the truth, let us call out fake news by verifying content.”

Noting that voter turn out in Coast region was very low, the chair says this time they want everyone to count.

“Let us get the people in marginalized areas to come out and take part in these electoral processes.”

Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan pledged that the commission was ready to deliver a peaceful, credible and transparent election in the 2027 polls.

“Election is a process, our aim is to ensure a peaceful and transparent election but this must be through a collaborative effort by all stakeholders,” he said.

According to him Kenya’s democracy has overgrown and no time for Kenya going back to election chaos promising that the coming election will be peaceful and credible.

“IEBC commitment is to protect the will of the people, we want to deliver what the Kenyan people desire, we are answerable to the coming election because we are in-charge.”

The vice-chair Fahim Abdalla asked youth to fully take part in election process and not to be used by politicians to cause chaos during electoral processes.

She said the commission was ready to conduct public participation throughout the country to sensitise the public on its rights and obligations to vote leaders of their choices.

“We ask the youth to Leverage on technology and very responsibly, participation in election is not just a right but a responsibility,” she said.

IEBC secretary Marjan Hussein Marjan asked players to stick and work together for the Kenya’s democracy not only to thrive, but also grow within its boundaries and beyond.

The commissioners were speaking at a meeting that had brought together people living with disabilities (PWDs), human rights activists, youth leaders and media stakeholders.

“We are opening our doors to you so that we can work together. Our doors are open to all and sundry with constructive criticisms or feedback,” he said.

He asked young people yet to register as voters to do so if they wanted to participate fully in the election process and exercise the mandate of voting leaders of their choice.

“We ask our youth to register and participate in election process as we promise to foster a credible and transparency elections.”

This is the first public engagement for the recently sworn in commissioners with stakeholders in the quest to prepare for 2027 general election.

At the same time, the chair says the commission is ready to demystify server myths that shroud any election outcomes.

According to him the commission is now ready to demystify what he termed as an existing myth about election servers which according to him is a nonstarter or in existence.

“I am not aware of an existing election servers in Kenya. I have never seen the servers myself, therefore, we are prepared to demystify that myth on servers once and for all!”

On ballot paper procurement, he said the level of public mistrust in the country was to blame for the commission seeking international printers for the same.

“Based on trust deficit, it’s wise to use sophisticated system from foreign contractors because the level of people mistrust is a serious concern here.”

The chair and his commissioners spoke the above while addressing election stakeholders drawn from all sectors on August 13, 2025 in Mombasa County.