The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, bringing together security agencies and key stakeholders to strengthen election security and prevent violence. 
By Fredrick Kioko,
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election, bringing together security agencies and key stakeholders to strengthen election security and prevent violence.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon presided over a High-Level National Election Security Roundtable Consultative Forum, where he said the gazettement of the election period and publication of the electoral timelines had set the stage for a series of security and logistical preparations ahead of the polls.
Ethekon stressed the need for stakeholders to learn from previous elections and ensure political competition remains lawful, peaceful and respectful of Kenya’s democratic institutions. He said the 2027 General Election would test the country’s collective preparedness to safeguard democracy, while emphasising that political differences should never threaten national unity and stability.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said the National Police Service has developed a comprehensive roadmap covering the entire electoral cycle, from September 2026 through the post-election period. The plan focuses on stronger security coordination, election-specific deployment, improved communication, training and sensitisation of security officers.
Kanja reaffirmed the police service’s commitment to supporting the IEBC in delivering a free, fair and peaceful election, while ensuring adequate resources are available to manage security challenges that may arise before, during and after the polls.
Court of Appeal Judge Justice Daniel K. Musinga, who was the chief guest, said the Judiciary would continue to handle electoral disputes independently, impartially and expeditiously. He called for closer cooperation among institutions to strengthen the justice chain and ensure that cases involving electoral violence, intimidation, bribery and destruction of election materials are dealt with effectively.
IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan, who chairs the Election Security and Electoral Risks Management Committee, said the Commission’s Election Security and Assurance Programme is designed to address emerging risks through early warning, prevention, monitoring, mitigation and rapid response.
Hassan said IEBC systems had been tested through 32 by-elections over the past year, which he described as successful tests of the Commission’s preparedness. He expressed confidence in the ability of the systems to deliver a free, fair, transparent and credible 2027 General Election, while urging political leaders to accept election results peacefully.
IEBC Commission Secretary and CEO Ruth Kulundu said electoral integrity depends heavily on a secure environment. She noted that the Commission is working with security agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation, investigations, prosecution and rapid responses to electoral security threats.
As part of the preparations, approximately 200,000 police officers and special police officers are expected to undergo professional training ahead of their deployment during the 2027 General Election.
The forum marks another major step in Kenya’s preparations for the August 10, 2027 General Election, with the IEBC, security agencies and Judiciary seeking to ensure the polls are conducted peacefully, securely and in accordance with the law.
