I joined the IEBC Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdalla, OGW, fellow Commissioners and the Commission Secretariat in a consultative meeting with Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) to explore opportunities for collaboration in support of the Commission’s constitutional mandate and preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The engagement focused on the important role of partnerships in promoting civic participation, voter education, inclusion and meaningful youth engagement. As Kenya prepares for the next General Election, ensuring that citizens—particularly young people—have access to accurate, timely and accessible electoral information remains essential to building informed participation and confidence in democratic processes.
The Vice Chairperson welcomed HURIA’s commitment to working with the Commission to encourage young people to engage their peers on issues that directly affect their participation in democracy, including voter registration, civic education and the exercise of their constitutional right to vote. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to expanding voter education initiatives at the grassroots level and ensuring that electoral information reaches citizens in a clear and accessible manner.
I also commended HURIA for its planned five-year initiative, *“Rebuilding the Youth–State Social Contract as a Foundation for Enduring Security, Stability and Democratic Resilience at the Coast.”* The initiative presents an important opportunity to deepen trust between young people and public institutions while creating space for dialogue, inclusion, respect for human rights and greater democratic resilience.
The meeting reaffirmed for me the value of working closely with civil society and community-based organizations in bringing electoral processes closer to the people. As preparations for the 2027 General Election continue, such partnerships will be vital in ensuring that every eligible Kenyan, especially our young people, is informed, empowered and able to participate meaningfully in shaping the country’s democratic future.
