IEBC Requests Early Support from UN Mission Ahead of 2027 Polls

Kenya’s electoral commission has asked the United Nations for early technical support to address digital threats ahead of the 2027 General Election.

During a high-level meeting in Nairobi, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) appealed to the UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to begin targeted assistance well before the next polls. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders early in the electoral process, stating that last-minute efforts are not enough to tackle today’s complex challenges.

The talks, led by Ethekon and Akinyemi Adegbola, Principal Electoral Advisor at the UN Electoral Assistance Division, focused on digital security, youth engagement, and public communication. The IEBC is seeking specialised support to improve its capacity to detect and counter online misinformation, including deepfakes and disinformation, which pose a growing risk to electoral credibility.

Ethekon noted that since the current Commission’s appointment, it has taken steps to improve transparency and accountability. Strengthening internal operations and building public trust are part of a broader institutional reform effort aimed at delivering credible elections.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also met with the UN delegation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting a free and peaceful election. He underscored the impact of digital technologies, social media, and artificial intelligence on the electoral environment and called for greater involvement from civil society, religious institutions, and the judiciary.

Responding to the Commission’s request, Adegbola confirmed that the UN is ready to begin its assessment, noting that Kenya’s evolving electoral landscape requires technical, not just logistical, support. He said early engagement and coordinated planning are essential to strengthening electoral integrity in the digital era.