By Issa Hussein - Reporter
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Kenya, June 10, 2026 - The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is participating in a regional capacity-building and experience-sharing programme aimed at strengthening electoral governance and enhancing the management of elections across Eastern and Southern Africa.
The four-day programme, running from June 10 to 13 in Machakos County, has brought together commissioners and senior electoral officials from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Seychelles under the auspices of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), with technical support from the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).
The forum seeks to promote peer learning among Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and provide a platform for sharing experiences, best practices and innovative approaches to addressing challenges facing election administration across the region.
Key discussions are focusing on strengthening institutional independence, enhancing leadership and decision-making capacity, promoting electoral integrity and improving stakeholder engagement in electoral processes.
Participants are also examining emerging challenges that continue to shape elections globally, including misinformation and disinformation, the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, crisis communication and electoral dispute resolution mechanisms.
Speaking on behalf of IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana described the programme as timely and important in helping electoral institutions respond to evolving challenges.
"We have the talent, technology, and we have the patriotic duty to deliver for our people," Dr. Mukhwana said while officially opening the three-day engagement.
He emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and knowledge sharing in building resilient electoral institutions capable of delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
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According to the IEBC, the programme is providing participants with opportunities to learn through interactive sessions, expert presentations, case studies and peer-to-peer exchanges designed to identify practical solutions to common electoral challenges.
The discussions come at a time when electoral management bodies across Africa are increasingly grappling with the impact of digital technologies, social media-driven misinformation campaigns and growing public demand for transparency and accountability in electoral processes.
Election experts attending the forum noted that regional cooperation remains critical in strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing public confidence in elections.
The IEBC said its participation reflects the Commission's commitment to continuous institutional learning, professional development and the adoption of regional best practices to improve election management and strengthen democracy in Kenya.
The forum is also expected to generate recommendations that will help electoral bodies adapt to emerging trends while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of elections across the COMESA region.
The meeting comes ahead of Kenya's scheduled by-election on July 16, with the Commission continuing preparations under its broader strategic plan to enhance electoral service delivery and voter confidence.