The European Union (EU) Election Follow-up Mission (EU EFM) has called on Kenyan authorities to accelerate electoral reforms to ensure transparent, inclusive, and peaceful general elections in 2027.
The mission, led by Mr. Ivan Štefanec, ran from 2 February to 1 March 2025, assessing progress on the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) during the 2022 elections.
Mr. Štefanec, former Chief Observer of the EU EOM 2022 and a former Member of the European Parliament, highlighted the importance of reform during a press conference in Nairobi.
“There is some positive movement in certain areas, as discussions on electoral reforms have commenced. However, we noted a lack of tangible progress in implementing the 2022 recommendations. Most stakeholders agreed on the urgency of establishing an independent and fully functioning Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) well before the next elections,” he stated.
Positive Dialogue but Slow ProgressThe EU EFM praised the friendly and cooperative atmosphere during meetings with various stakeholders, including the IEBC, government institutions, political parties, civil society, media, and development partners.
On 20 February, the mission hosted a roundtable discussion where electoral stakeholders reviewed progress and discussed the path forward.
Despite these positive engagements, concerns remain.
The EU EOM 2022 had outlined 21 recommendations, seven of which were considered priorities. These include:
Providing sufficient funds to the IEBC for continuous voter education.
Improving electoral technology through regular audits and stakeholder consultations.
Implementing the Election Campaign Financing Act to regulate campaign spending.
Clearly defining hate speech in line with international human rights standards.
Repealing sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Establishing transparent procedures for managing tallying centres.
Urgency in Reconstituting IEBC
Mr. Štefanec stressed the urgent need to reconstitute the IEBC.
The delay in appointing new commissioners has stalled critical electoral processes, including pending by-elections, boundary reviews, and continuous voter registration.
“It is essential that the IEBC is reconstituted without further delays and has adequate, timely funding to prepare for the 2027 elections,” he emphasized.
Building Trust and Inclusion
The EU EFM also underscored the importance of inclusivity and trust in the electoral process.
Mr. Štefanec noted that every Kenyan citizen should have the opportunity to register, vote, and stand as a candidate, aligning with Kenya’s international and regional commitments.
“Strengthening the independence of the IEBC, ensuring transparency, and fostering cooperation among stakeholders are key to building public trust,” he added.
EU’s Continued Support for Electoral Reforms
Concluding the press conference, Mr. Štefanec reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s democratic processes.
“The EU and its Member States will continue to advocate for electoral reforms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and peaceful elections,” he said.
The comprehensive final report of the EU Follow-up Mission will be published in the coming months.
The 2022 EU EOM Final Report is available here.
