Parliament will expedite the review and approval of all pending election-related bills to ensure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is fully prepared for the 2027 General Election, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has announced.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday during a meeting with Ed Barnett, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the British High Commission, Wetang’ula said lawmakers will not allow delays that could undermine the credibility of the next elections.
“Election-related amendments don’t originate from us, but as House leadership, we’ve resolved that within the next two to three months, we’ll be done with them. We cannot be reviewing laws six or seven months to a general election,” he said.
The Speaker emphasized that rebuilding public confidence in the IEBC remains an ongoing process and encouraged the newly constituted commission to engage widely with citizens to restore trust and transparency.
“The public has high expectations ahead of the upcoming by-elections. The pressure will be immense, but the chairperson and commissioners must remain firm,” he said.
Wetang’ula noted that the constitutional boundary review could no longer be achieved due to time and financial limitations. He instead urged the commission to prioritize the registration of millions of eligible but unlisted voters to improve participation in 2027.
“By not voting, you lose the moral ground to make demands on elected leaders. Let’s respect the sanctity of building a nation and strengthen credibility in our institutions,” he added.
Barnett said the United Kingdom, through non-state partners, is supporting IEBC’s capacity-building programmes, including the development of a strategic communication plan to boost transparency, public confidence, and effective information sharing.
“We supported the induction of the new commissioners and will continue to channel our limited resources to strengthen their systems,” the envoy said.
On governance, both leaders agreed that the implementation of the new Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, will be a key test for Kenya’s anti-corruption institutions. Wetang’ula called on the Judiciary to ensure faster resolution of graft cases, warning that prolonged trials weaken accountability.
“The Judiciary must reduce the time it takes to conclude cases. Timelines should be set and respected,” he said.
Their talks also covered ways to shift the UK–Kenya relationship from aid-based cooperation to one focused on trade and investment. Wetang’ula encouraged London to deepen engagement with Kenya’s private sector and explore emerging opportunities in sectors such as mining, especially following the discovery of rare earth minerals in the country.
“The UK has been a dependable partner since independence. We now want to build a stronger trade partnership anchored on mutual growth,” he stated.
Kenya remains the UK’s second-largest export destination in Africa, accounting for 27 percent of fresh produce and 56 percent of the black tea sold in Britain.
However, Wetang’ula expressed concern over the UK’s strict visa procedures, which have hindered many Kenyans, including students, from pursuing opportunities in the country.
“There are many students who wish to study in the UK, but the visa process is too complex. We should leverage our Commonwealth connection to ease this,” he said.
In response, Barnett acknowledged the challenge and pledged to collaborate with Kenyan institutions to make the visa application process more accessible.
