The European Union Election Follow-Up Mission (EU EFM) report for Kenya is now out.  The report offers a detailed assessments on progress on electoral reforms and the implementation status of the recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) 2022 ahead of Kenyan general elections in 2027.  

The EU EFM was deployed from 2 February to 1 March 2025 under the leadership of Mr Ivan Štefanec, former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission 2022. 

During its month-long engagement, the EU EFM conducted extensive consultations with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), state institutions, political parties, media, civil society s, and development partners, including through a multi-stakeholder roundtable on 20 February that reviewed progress on the 21 recommendations, seven of which are considered of highest priority. 

The EU EFM noted some positive movement in certain areas, as discussions on electoral reforms have commenced, but they also pointed to a lack of tangible progress in the implementation of the recommendations offered by the EU EOM in 2022. Most interlocutors of the EU EFM agreed on the urgency for an independent and fully functioning Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission well ahead of the next elections as the delay in appointing new IEBC commissioners effectively has postponed pending by-elections and the boundary delimitation process, halted continuous voter registration, and risked compromised the overall preparations for the 2027 elections. 

The EU EFM noted that while there are several electoral reforms that are time sensitive, there is still time for comprehensive and effective electoral reform ahead of the 2027 elections, but only if the work starts now.

See also the EU Election Observation Mission Report 2022