Chief Justice Martha Koome has said the Judiciary is ready to handle electoral disputes efficiently and fairly ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

Speaking after meeting the United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission in Nairobi on Monday, October 13, 2025, Koome said the Judiciary has strengthened its systems through the Judiciary Committee on Elections (JCE) to ensure that all election petitions are heard and concluded within constitutional timelines.

Koome said the Judiciary has implemented measures focusing on early preparedness, capacity building, and digital transformation to enhance the effectiveness of dispute handling.

“I underscored the Judiciary’s readiness and continued commitment to ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved efficiently, fairly, and within constitutional timelines. Through the Judiciary Committee on Elections, we have institutionalised early preparedness, capacity building, and digital transformation to strengthen our electoral dispute resolution system,” said Koome.

Also watch: Former CJ David Maraga says 2027 could be Kenya’s toughest election yet.

The Chief Justice noted that the Judiciary had shared the JCE Operational Plan 2025–2029 with the UN team, which outlines key strategies to improve how the courts and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) manage electoral disputes. The plan focuses on improving judicial capacity, streamlining case management systems, and using technology to enhance transparency.

Koome said the Judiciary aims to ensure consistency and timeliness in decisions, especially during periods of heightened political activity. She also highlighted the need for cooperation among all institutions involved in the electoral process to guarantee credible elections.

“Credible elections depend on the collective effort of all institutions in the electoral chain,” she said, adding that the Judiciary remains open to partnerships with the UN and other bodies to ensure that the 2027 elections are peaceful, transparent, and credible.

Elsewhere, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has warned politicians against interfering with the IEBC, saying it could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.

Collaboration with IEBC

Koome’s remarks come as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continues its preparations for the upcoming polls. The Commission has resumed continuous voter registration and targets to register about 28.5 million voters by 2027.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the exercise is ongoing across the country and urged Kenyans, especially young people, to register early.

“The Commission projects that come 2027, we should have registered about 28.5 million voters,” he said during the launch of the exercise in Kajiado East.

Ethekon said the IEBC expects about 70 per cent of voters in 2027 to be young people, making them the largest voting bloc. He appealed to them to register and participate in shaping the country’s leadership.

“I particularly appeal to the youth, who form about 70 per cent of the likely voters in the coming election, to register and make their voices heard,” he said.

The Commission has also emphasised the need for a credible voter register, saying it will form the foundation for a fair and transparent election. Ethekon said the register will be audited and cleaned up before publication to ensure it reflects the actual number of eligible voters.