A coalition of foreign envoys from key diplomatic missions in Kenya has spoken out on the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team, issuing a string of requests to the Kenyan government.
In a joint statement released days after the swearing-in of six commissioners and chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the envoys welcomed the new appointments and called on the officials to serve all Kenyans impartially.
"We welcome the appointment of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson and commissioners," the joint statement read.
The diplomats represented countries including the United States, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
In their message, they urged the National Assembly and the National Treasury to ensure that the IEBC receives adequate funding, which is crucial for the commission to function independently.
The envoys further encouraged relevant institutions to prioritise inclusive voter registration to ensure that every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to participate in future elections.
"We stand ready, working in partnership, to further strengthen electoral systems and bolster public trust in Kenya's democratic institutions," the statement went on.
The joint statement came just weeks after the European Union (EU), through the final report of the European Union Election Follow-up Mission (EU EFM) highlighted the delayed reforms and concerns over the independence of a future Commission free from political interference.
At the time, the EU viewed Kenya's electoral body as weak and vulnerable to interference from the political establishment.
The swearing-in of new commissioners last Friday set off a ticking clock, with the IEBC having little to no room to slack, two years to the general election. The new chairperson and commissioners face a series of urgent constitutional and legal tests, with the top of the list being conducting 22 pending by-elections across the country.
IEBC is also expected to resume key electoral processes, including Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
As far as funding is concerned, IEBC Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Obadiah Keitany revealed earlier in the year that Ksh61 billion will be needed to finance the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
The commission's legal director broke down the figure, insisting that while Kenya had the capability of producing reliable election material, distrust from political factions in the country necessitated the need to outsource ballot papers from international contractors - a considerably costlier move.
