By Eddah Waithaka
The European Union has deployed an Election Follow-up Mission (EU EFM) to Kenya to evaluate the country’s progress in implementing electoral reforms and addressing recommendations from the 2022 EU Election Observation Mission (EOM).
The mission, led by former European Parliament member Ivan Štefanec, began on February 2 and will conclude on March 1, 2025.
During its stay, the EU EFM engaged with a wide range of stakeholders. The mission praised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), state institutions, political parties, civil society, media, and development partners for their collaborative discussions, highlighting the importance of inclusive dialogue in electoral reforms.
On February 20, the EU EFM convened a roundtable meeting with key electoral stakeholders to assess the status of reforms and the implementation of the 2022 EOM recommendations. While the mission acknowledged some progress in initiating discussions on electoral reforms, nevertheless, it also expressed concern over the lack of tangible action on the ground.
During the press conference in Nairobi, Štefanec emphasized the urgency of addressing these delays. “We have seen positive movement in certain areas. However, tangible progress in implementing the 2022 recommendations remains limited,” he said.
“Most stakeholders agree on the need for an independent and fully functional IEBC well ahead of the next elections. Delays in appointing new commissioners have impacted by-elections, boundary delimitation, and voter registration, undermining preparations for the 2027 polls.”
The 2022 EU EOM issued 21 recommendations. They included seven priority actions aimed at strengthening Kenya’s electoral process. Key recommendations included ensuring funding for voter education, improving electoral technology with audits, operationalizing the Election Campaign Financing Act, clarifying hate speech definitions, amending the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and establishing procedures for managing election staff and information at tallying centers.
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Štefanec stressed the importance of these reforms in upholding Kenya’s democratic commitments. “It is essential that all citizens can register to vote, exercise their right to vote, and stand as candidates,” he said.
“Building trust in the IEBC’s work, ensuring its independence, and fostering transparency and inclusion are critical to the success of future elections.” The EU EFM leader also called for timely funding and support for the IEBC. This is to ensure it can effectively prepare for the 2027 elections.
He reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s electoral reform process, emphasizing the need for cooperation among all stakeholders to achieve meaningful progress. The EU EFM will publish a comprehensive final report in the coming months, detailing its findings and recommendations.
The EU and its member states have pledged to continue advocating for electoral reforms in Kenya, underscoring the importance of free, fair, and transparent elections in strengthening democracy and governance. As Kenya moves closer to its next general election, the EU’s call for urgent action serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure a credible and inclusive electoral process.
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