Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Ethekon has cautioned Kenyans against taking peace for granted as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
Ethekon said the deadly post-election violence of 2007/08 should remain a lasting reminder that Kenya is not immune to political and ethnic conflict, despite its former reputation as an “island of peace”.
Speaking on Wednesday during a high-level meeting of the National Election Security Roundtable Consultative Forum, Ethekon said the events of 2007/08 fundamentally changed the country’s approach to conflict prevention and electoral security.
He recalled being among young officials involved in peace-building efforts following the violence, including initiatives to stabilise Kibra and promote dialogue between communities.
Ethekon said his experiences across 14 districts exposed him to the devastating impact of electoral violence and demonstrated that conflict could erupt even in areas previously regarded as peaceful.
He noted that before 2007, conflict experts largely focused on regions affected by cross-border and inter-community clashes, particularly northern Kenya. However, the post-election violence showed that electoral tensions could quickly destabilise even relatively peaceful parts of the country.
According to Ethekon, one of the most important lessons from the crisis was that peace should never be assumed or treated as guaranteed.
He said Kenya had since established peace committees and other mechanisms to address potential conflict, but warned that the country must remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 polls.
Ethekon’s remarks came shortly after Kenya formally entered the electoral period following the gazettement of the electoral cycle on August 19.
He said although political activity began almost immediately after the previous General Election, the gazettement officially activated the election period and set in motion preparations for various aspects of the 2027 polls, including election security.
The IEBC chairman said the commission had already released a roadmap outlining key timelines for the election, some of which cannot be altered.
While the candidates who will contest the various positions have not yet been confirmed, Ethekon said preparations must begin well in advance to ensure the country is ready for the polls.
He stressed that a peaceful and conducive environment would be essential for Kenyans to exercise their democratic rights freely.
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Ethekon said the 2027 election would also serve as a test of the country’s institutions and their ability to protect democracy and respond to emerging threats.
He emphasised that the IEBC could not guarantee a credible and peaceful election on its own, noting that different institutions have been assigned responsibilities within the electoral process.
The chairman also underscored the importance of strong institutions, national values and adherence to established principles, saying the strength of the country depends largely on the institutions responsible for running its affairs.
Ethekon further called on the media to exercise caution when handling election-related information, particularly misinformation and disinformation.
He warned that inaccurate reporting and the deliberate spread of false information could heighten public fear, inflame tensions and contribute to violence, pointing to the experience of 2007/08 as evidence of the consequences.
As preparations for the 2027 election gather pace, Ethekon said Kenya must draw from the painful lessons of the past, remain alert to early warning signs and strengthen institutions capable of preventing electoral tensions from escalating into violence.
