Ethekon highlights innovation as key to credible elections
By Faith Lagat, June 12, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has stepped up preparations for future electoral processes through regional collaboration, stakeholder engagement and institutional capacity-building initiatives.
The latest effort saw the successful conclusion of the Regional Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) Capacity-Building and Experience-Sharing Programme held in Machakos County, bringing together electoral leaders and senior officials from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Seychelles.
The programme focused on strengthening electoral governance and sharing best practices among election management bodies across the region.
“The closing ceremony was presided over by @IEBCKenya Chairperson @EEEthekon, being the host, who reiterated the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation in strengthening electoral processes across the region,” read the X post dated June 12, 2026.
Regional electoral leaders meet in Machakos
According to the IEBC, the three-day programme brought together the Commission’s Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, Vice Chairperson, Commissioners and senior members of staff alongside delegates from participating countries.
Discussions centred on electoral governance and leadership, electoral integrity, stakeholder engagement, emerging technologies, misinformation and disinformation, crisis communication and dispute resolution.
The forum was conducted under the auspices of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) with support from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).
At the closing ceremony, Ethekon highlighted the importance of continuous learning, collaboration and innovation in strengthening electoral processes across the region.
Participants also expressed appreciation to COMESA, EISA and the IEBC for creating a platform for peer learning and exchange of experiences, noting that lessons acquired during the programme would be applied in their respective countries.
Partnership with Law Society of Kenya
The regional engagement follows a consultative meeting between the IEBC and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) held earlier this week.
The discussions focused on voter education, strategic communication, institutional coordination and electoral preparedness.
LSK President Charles Kanjama reaffirmed the society’s commitment to supporting free, fair and credible elections and announced plans to establish a dedicated elections committee to enhance engagement with the Commission.
The meeting also explored opportunities for collaboration on legal reforms and public awareness initiatives aimed at strengthening Kenya’s electoral framework.
The IEBC noted that partnerships with key institutions remain important in addressing emerging electoral challenges and promoting public confidence in democratic processes.
Funding to support electoral activities
The Commission’s ongoing activities come as Parliament approved funding allocations for the 2026/27 financial year to support electoral operations.
The allocation is expected to support voter registration activities, civic education programmes, election technology improvements and institutional capacity development.
The funding forms part of broader government spending aimed at supporting public institutions and preparing for upcoming electoral activities, including by-elections scheduled in various parts of the country.
The IEBC has continued to emphasise stakeholder engagement, institutional strengthening and regional cooperation as part of efforts to enhance election management and improve service delivery within the electoral sector.