Nairobi:Electoral stakeholders have resolved to strengthen multi-agency coordination, improve early warning systems, and enhance election results management as part of efforts to safeguard the 2027 General Election.
According to Kenya News Agency, these resolutions were agreed upon during the Kajiado/Nairobi Cluster Election Security Arrangement Programme (ESAP) Roundtable held in Nairobi. Participants reviewed lessons from the 2022 General Election and identified emerging security risks that require coordinated action ahead of the next polls.
Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, who presided over the meeting, highlighted the engagement as a part of nationwide efforts to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and security under the ESAP framework. Stakeholders emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with peace committees, enhanced communication to counter misinformation, and improved deployment of election personnel and materials.
They also underscored the importance of enhanced training and capacity building for IEBC staff, security agencies, and other stakeholders, alongside improving personnel welfare through psychosocial support. Reviewing the implementation of the 2022 ESAP was deemed essential for identifying lessons learned and adopting best practices for the 2027 electoral process.
Participants stressed that strengthening the election results management framework is critical to promoting efficiency, transparency, and public confidence in the electoral process. Abdallah reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate and called for closer collaboration among institutions responsible for election management and security.
The Vice Chairperson urged early planning and preparedness, involving a whole-of-government and multi-agency approach, including security agencies, the judiciary, and other relevant institutions. Abdallah cautioned against the rapid spread of misinformation and AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for accurate and timely communication.
Irene Chepkwony, Assistant Director, Counselling and Wellness, representing the Directorate of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the Directorate’s role in election preparedness through strategic communication and personnel welfare. She called for strengthened capacity to disseminate accurate electoral information and provide psychosocial support to officers involved in election-related assignments.
The meeting concluded with a call for sustained collaboration and stronger institutional preparedness as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election. The ESAP framework provides a platform for electoral, security, and other relevant institutions to coordinate efforts to identify, prevent, and respond to risks affecting the peaceful conduct of elections.
