By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
On September 17, 2024, Marjan H. Marjan, the Commission Secretary and CEO, took part in the National Conference focused on the finalization of electoral reforms in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
The two-day conference, organized by the Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA), seeks to provide a platform for discussion regarding the completion of reforms and associated issues in preparation for the 2027 General Election.
During his address, Marjan noted that, with the assistance of various stakeholders including the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, and the Kenya Law Reform Commission, the Commission has completed most of the proposals and has put forward recommendations for amendments to the laws about election.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has generated amendments to the attendant electoral regulations which will be subjected to stakeholder engagements and public participation in due course.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has consistently undertaken intentional measures to establish a comprehensive electoral-legal framework for the administration of elections.
This has involved the creation and evaluation of election-related legislation, which is subsequently presented to Parliament for deliberation but never to be enacted.
“Unfortunately, these amendments are always enacted late or too close to the General Election. In certain instances, the proposed laws stall and are not enacted”, noted Marjan.
The Commission Secretary/CEO observed that he was convinced that the deliberations from the conference would unlock the existing challenges.
“We are presented with a momentous epoch to enact into law all the proposals to enable our country to attain a robust constitutional and legal framework for the conduct of free, fair, and regular elections based on universal suffrage,” Marjan said.
This comes as Kenya prepares for a General Election in 2027 which will mark five since the previous elections that took place in 2022.