Boundary Review Misses Deadline as IEBC Warns of 2027 Election Pressure

By Robai Ludenyi

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has acknowledged that Kenya’s long-delayed constituency and ward boundary review will not be completed within the constitutional timelines, raising fresh concerns about preparedness for the 2027 General Election.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission will now pursue a phased approach to boundary delimitation, citing legal, constitutional, and operational obstacles that have stalled the process for years. Boundary review is a constitutional requirement that must be carried out every eight to twelve years, with the most recent exercise expected to have been concluded by 2024. However, Ethekon admitted that the commission failed to meet this deadline, largely due to the prolonged period when the IEBC lacked a full team of commissioners.

Without commissioners, the secretariat was unable to make policy decisions, forcing the suspension of the boundary review process. Ethekon stressed that delimitation is not an administrative task but a sensitive policy matter that requires a fully constituted commission.

The IEBC chairperson also pointed to ongoing court cases and legal injunctions, warning that they pose a direct threat to the commission’s ability to execute its mandate. He noted that electoral processes, including boundary delimitation, demand extensive public participation and engagement with political stakeholders, making delays even more costly.In addition to legal challenges, the commission is grappling with pending by-elections, gaps in voter education, and overstretched institutional capacity. These pressures, Ethekon said, are complicating preparations as the country edges closer to the next general election.

He cautioned that the current legal environment could undermine the IEBC’s readiness for the 2027 polls, which are now less than two years away. The Constitution requires that boundary delimitation be completed at least one year before a general election, a threshold Kenya has already crossed. Ethekon added that the exercise typically takes around two years, leaving little room for maneuver.

To navigate the impasse, the commission has adopted what Ethekon described as a defensive, legally cautious strategy, rolling out the process in phases while prioritizing election preparedness. The IEBC has sought advisory opinions from the Attorney General and the Supreme Court to guide its next steps. Depending on the outcome of the court cases, the commission will decide whether to fully proceed with boundary delimitation or temporarily shift focus to election logistics.

On financing, the IEBC chairperson revealed a Sh20 billion funding shortfall for the 2027 General Election, adding a financial strain to an already complex political and legal landscape.

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