Critical Electoral Law Reforms Remain Pending as Kenya Approaches 2027 Polls

With under a year remaining before Kenya's 2027 general elections, vital amendments to the country's electoral laws continue to await parliamentary approval. These reforms, aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and efficiency, have been delayed despite warnings from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) about the risks of last-minute legislative changes.

Pending Legislative Proposals

Key bills currently under consideration include amendments to the Elections Act, Election Offences Act, and Political Parties Act. Additional proposals address campaign financing, voter registration, and the use of election technology.

These reforms primarily originate from the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO), established to ease political tensions following the contentious 2022 election. Among the outstanding bills are:

• The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which mandates an independent audit of electoral processes within a year after general elections.
• The Election Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposing penalties for conducting elections outside gazetted polling stations and for interfering with declared results.
• The Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aiming to repeal provisions that currently deem party members to have resigned if they support rival parties.

IEBC’s Concerns and Parliamentary Commitments

The IEBC has repeatedly cautioned that passing or amending election laws close to election dates disrupts operational planning, procurement, and adherence to statutory timelines. The commission highlighted that reforms should ideally be finalized at least two years before polls, as recommended by the Kriegler Commission report adopted in 2008.

In October 2025, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula emphasized Parliament’s commitment to completing the bills within a few months to avoid undermining electoral credibility. He also acknowledged ongoing efforts to rebuild public trust in the IEBC through enhanced engagement.

Broader Legislative Package

Beyond the NADCO bills, the IEBC has submitted additional legislative proposals, including:

• County Governments Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
• Draft Referendum Bill and Regulations
• Regulations on voter registration, education, and election technology

The passage of these laws is critical to ensuring transparent, credible, and efficient elections in 2027 and beyond.