IEBC chair nominee addresses fears of 2027 election violence
During his vetting before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson nominee, Erastus Edung Ethekon, was put to task over concerns that mismanagement of the 2027 General Election could plunge the country into another cycle of electoral violence.
In his response, the nominee admitted that it was an uncomfortable discussion, but one that was both necessary and urgent. Citing the dark chapters of Kenya’s history, he recalled the post-election violence of 1992 and 2007, which left the country in a state of devastation.
“This discussion is uncomfortable but very necessary. Those of us who have been in this country long enough know what we went through in 1992 and 2007. We have had a recurring pattern of violence arising after elections. A repeat of such incidents is not something we should ever wish to see again,” Edung stated on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Plan
Outlining his plan of action, the nominee assured the committee that, if approved, he would prioritise collaboration with security agencies, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), civil society organisations, and the media to establish early warning and preventive measures ahead of the 2027 elections.
“As IEBC, we will work with all relevant stakeholders, including security agencies, the NCIC, civil society, and the media, to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent a repeat of electoral-related violence,” he added.
He further cited his previous experience working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where his focus was on national recovery efforts following the 2007 post-election crisis.
Through partnerships with institutions such as the IEBC, his team supported programmes that contributed to the peaceful conduct of the 2010 constitutional referendum and subsequent elections.
He further assured the commission that it is such programmes that he will use to make sure that if appointed chairman, he will use them to avert the 2027 post-election violence.
“During my tenure at UNDP, we focused on recovery from the 2007 post-election violence. We worked closely with national government institutions, including the IEBC, to implement programmes that ensured the 2010 referendum and later elections were peaceful. These are the same recommendations and strategies I intend to bring into the commission if appointed as chairperson,” he concluded.
Concerns from opposition leaders
This comes at a time when there has been a warning from several opposition leaders, notably former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, that should the 2027 polls be mismanaged, the 2007/2008 post-election violence will look like a Christmas party.
