We recently participated in a conference hosted by the Elections Observation Group (ELOG) and the Uchaguzi Platform, focusing on Kenya’s electoral process. The discussions revolved around critical reforms needed to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, with a strong emphasis on legislative and administrative measures.

ELOG’s approach to electoral integrity centers on four key areas:

• Electoral Management
• Electoral Reforms
• Voter Registration & Register Maintenance
• Integration of Technology

The conference highlighted pending legislative proposals that are crucial for strengthening Kenya’s democracy, including:

• Referendum Bill
• Boundaries Delimitation Bill
• Amendments to the Political Parties Act
• NADCO Report Recommendations

Timely enactment of these bills is essential to allow for proper implementation before the 2027 elections. Additionally, the Registrar of Political Parties, Dr. Anne Nderitu, stressed the need for electoral security, cost-effective elections, and enhanced collaboration with political parties.

Addressing Key Electoral Challenges

Despite almost half of the world’s population participating in elections, the Democracy Index 2024 revealed a decline in democratic integrity. Some of the most pressing challenges discussed included:
🔹 Lack of Public Trust in electoral institutions
🔹 Non-Adherence to Electoral Laws and loopholes in campaign financing
🔹 High Cost of Elections due to expensive technology and campaign costs
🔹 Gaps in Election Technology that impact transparency
🔹 Inclusion Deficiencies, particularly affecting women, youth, and marginalized communities

Strengthening Electoral Management

Key reforms proposed to enhance electoral management include:
✔ Independence of IEBC through a standalone budget
✔ Policy on Results Transmission to ensure transparency
✔ Stronger Regulations on Campaign Finance
✔ Special Voting Mechanisms for marginalized communities
✔ Media Influence Regulations to curb misinformation
✔ Two-Thirds Gender Rule Enforcement in party lists
✔ Introduction of a Political Decency & Accountability Charter
✔ Hate Speech Tribunals to expedite rulings and integrity checks

Reports Launched by Uchaguzi Platform

During the conference, the Uchaguzi Platform launched two key reports:
📖 “Pay to Play? The Economics of Running for Elective Office in Kenya” – Analyzing the financial barriers to political participation.
📖 “Beyond the Ballot: Handbook for Monitoring Reforms in Kenya” – A guide for tracking electoral reform progress.

The Way Forward

As we move towards the 2027 elections, the push for electoral reforms must remain a priority. Stakeholders—including the government, civil society, and political actors—must work collaboratively to implement these critical changes. The discussions at this conference serve as a call to action for all electoral stakeholders to champion transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in Kenya’s democratic process.

Stay engaged with us as we continue advocating for meaningful electoral reforms!