- The 254 Report
- Posts
- Strengthening Democracy: Civil Society Calls for Urgent Electoral Reforms in Kenya
Strengthening Democracy: Civil Society Calls for Urgent Electoral Reforms in Kenya
Gerald Kombo
January 31, 2025
The time to have a fully functioning election management body is now, and the time to enact the necessary legislative reforms is now.
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 general elections, leading civil society organizations, including Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), and the Elections Observation Group (ELOG), convened to address critical concerns about the country’s electoral preparedness.
The January 31, 2025 statement highlighted the urgent need for reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), advancing electoral reforms, and addressing challenges in voter registration and national ID issuance.
1. Urgent Reconstitution of the IEBC
Mulle Musau, Head of Secretariat at ELOG, emphasized the prolonged absence of IEBC commissioners, which jeopardizes electoral integrity.
The selection panel must conduct its work with utmost independence, impartiality, and transparency
The platform called on Parliament and the Presidency to expedite their roles, ensuring the appointment of a fully functional IEBC by June 2025. Civil society, media, and the judiciary were urged to actively monitor the recruitment process and address any legal hurdles to maintain transparency and compliance with the law.
2. Electoral Reforms and NADCO Bills
Felix Owuor, Executive Director of ELGIA, highlighted Kenya’s lagging electoral reforms, despite critical recommendations from the Krigler Commission, NADCO, and post-2022 election evaluations.
The 2022 elections lacked comprehensive reforms. If we are to avoid past mistakes, all reforms should be enacted by the end of this year.
The NADCO legislative proposals, which include amendments to the IEBC Act and Political Parties Act, are pivotal in addressing institutional challenges. Dwuor stressed the need for robust public participation, campaign finance regulations, and consensus-building among stakeholders to advance these reforms.
3. Enhancing Voter Registration and ID Issuance
Sheila Masinde from TI-Kenya acknowledged efforts to register youth for national IDs but noted persistent challenges, especially in ID replacements.
Digitizing the process so people can independently track their applications minimizes corruption and enhances efficiency.
Masinde proposed integrating ID and voter registration services, reducing documentation requirements, and decentralizing printing and collection points to expedite the process. She also emphasized the need to lower ID replacement costs to deter corruption.
Border counties face unique challenges due to stringent security vetting processes, which have become opportunities for exploitation.
We must balance national security with inclusivity to ensure no community feels marginalized
4. Civil Society's Role in Voter Mobilization
Masinde highlighted civil society's role in creating awareness and mobilizing communities during government outreach initiatives.
We can't replace the government in service delivery, but we can help educate citizens on the importance of registering and collecting their IDs to access essential services and vote
She also called for continuous voter registration to accommodate the mobility of young people who relocate for education or employment.
A Call for Action
The joint statement underscored the urgency of safeguarding Kenya’s democratic gains by addressing institutional, legislative, and administrative challenges. Stakeholders must prioritize timely reforms, expedite IEBC reconstitution, and ensure transparent voter registration processes.
The time to act is now. With collaborative efforts from government, civil society, and citizens, Kenya can build a stronger and more transparent electoral system for future generations.
This story captures the essence of ongoing efforts and recommendations by civil society leaders to improve Kenya's democratic processes based on insights from interviews and their official statement.