Dear Mr Ethekon: An open letter to new IEBC chair, commissioners

Greetings, EBC chairman and commissioners. Congratulations on your appointment and being entrusted with the enormous responsibility of midwifing Kenya’s 15th democratic elections in 2027, which, by all indications, will be highly competitive.

As your team undergoes induction in Mombasa, the humid climate mirrors Kenya’s political environment: hot with high levels of polarisation, ethnic balkanisation, youth protests, and their unfortunate hijacking by goons.

These are strong indicators of potential challenges the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will face during and after 2027. Regarding the youth, you must foster their faith in the electoral process, especially given the significant voter apathy in 2022.

The upcoming by-elections will be a crucial litmus test of your ability to conduct a fair election and regain public trust. A public perception survey today would likely reveal that Kenyans perceive the IEBC negatively, viewing it as weak and vulnerable to political interference. This perception likely contributed to the 7 million registered voters who did not participate in 2022.

Challenges you faced before assuming office, including numerous litigations and allegations of commissioners being relatives of prominent politicians, further underscore this trust deficit. Indeed, an Infotrak survey from December 2024 indicated that only 26 per cent of Kenyans have confidence in the IEBC to conduct free and fair elections in 2027, with 60 per cent believing there is no transparency in the commission.

In Kenya, elections are truly a matter of life and death. Our recent history is stained by murders of IEBC officials like Mr Chris Msando, Mr Geoffrey Gitobu, who died of election stress, and Mr Mbolu Musyoka (may their souls rest in peace). This highlights the extremely high stakes, particularly in presidential elections. Your in-trays are full, leaving little time to celebrate your appointments. You face immediate tasks: 22 pending by-elections, securing funding for 2027 (with development partners like USAID reducing support), a proposed referendum, approving the strategic plan, delimiting boundaries with strict adherence to the equality of the vote principle, and resuming voter registration. With limited time and no room for error, your team must be fully engaged.

As the old adage states, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Kenya has a history of disputed presidential elections. The fact that the 2002 polls are considered the only election since 1992 to conclude without major disputes should deeply concern you. Why have all presidential elections under the new constitution been contested in the Supreme Court, with the 2017 election being nullified – a first in Africa?

There is a noticeable lack of proper communication within IEBC. Last week, the voter verification portal went missing, sparking rumours that data was being doctored. It was only after public complaints that you clarified it was normal maintenance. You appear to be more reactive than proactive in communication.

Let me re-emphasise the nullification of the 2017 presidential elections. As Emeritus CJ Maraga wisely stated, “An election is not an event; it is a process. For justice to be seen to be done, even those who lose should do so rightly.”

Commissioners, any utterances by politicians that could erode faith in upcoming by-elections and the 2027 elections must be nipped in the bud. In my mother tongue, we say: “Itheru ndunyu” (if you want to joke, go joke in the market). The Igbo say, “A joke beyond a joke is no joke.” Wajir Woman Rep recently declared, “we’ll steal votes for Ruto, that’s no secret.” Knowing that elections can ignite existing tensions, such utterances must be thoroughly interrogated. Commissioners, I wish you all the best. To whom much is given, much is expected.

The writer comments on current issues. [email protected]