The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has secured a Sh1.72 billion electoral support programme from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a move aimed at strengthening the country's preparations for the 2027 General Election through technical, financial and institutional support.
The US$13.3 million programme was signed in Nairobi on Thursday, with IEBC saying the partnership will help the commission build its capacity as it prepares to conduct peaceful, credible, free and fair elections.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon described the agreement as an important step in the commission's preparations for the next General Election.
"Today we will be signing a programme for support, a partnership arrangement with the United Nations, and this support is based on our request to the United Nations to support the electoral management body and the electoral processes," Ethekon said.
He said the commission had spent the past year engaging Parliament, the media, civil society, development partners and the diplomatic community to ensure there is broad ownership of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to Ethekon, working together with the United Nations and development partners will help the commission strengthen its preparations as it works towards delivering a credible election.
"This partnership with the United Nations and the development partners is important to us as IEBC as we race towards the 2027 General Election. We have to prepare for peaceful, credible, free and fair elections, and we must deliver it to the Kenyan people," he said.
He said the programme will help improve the commission's institutional capacity by supporting staff training, the acquisition of essential equipment, civic and voter education, and stronger communication aimed at improving transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
Ethekon added that the initiative will also support continuous voter registration while encouraging more women and young people to participate in the electoral process.
"This programme will also help us in mobilising people to come and register. It also has a component that would support our women to participate in a peaceful, credible, free and fair election," he said.
The IEBC chairperson also appealed to Kenyans to help create a peaceful environment ahead of the elections, saying stability will be key to the commission's success in delivering a credible poll.
"We need to create an environment that is peaceful enough, that is conducive... If the environment is good, we will succeed," he said.
Ethekon noted that the commission had witnessed cases of election-related violence during the 32 by-elections it recently conducted, stressing the need for all stakeholders to support peaceful elections.
UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya Jean-Luc Stalon said the United Nations' support goes beyond providing technical assistance and is also aimed at strengthening democratic governance, promoting inclusion and building public confidence in electoral processes.
"The United Nations electoral offer goes beyond technical support," Stalon said. "Elections are not merely technical exercises; they are also deeply political and social processes that require trust, dialogue, participation and confidence among institutions, stakeholders and citizens."
He said the programme reflects a shared commitment to Kenya's democratic future and called on development partners to help close the remaining funding gap needed to fully implement all planned activities.
"The United Nations remains steadfast in its support and looks forward, alongside all partners, to advancing peaceful, inclusive, credible and transparent elections in 2027," Stalon said.
Stalon added that the Sh1.72 billion programme will fund activities aimed at strengthening institutions, supporting peace efforts and increasing public confidence in Kenya's democratic processes as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.