The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched its Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027, setting out the commission’s roadmap for preparing and conducting Kenya’s next General Election.

Launched on Wednesday, the two policy documents establish the IEBC’s priorities for the next five years, focusing on strengthening electoral governance, improving institutional performance and enhancing public confidence in the country’s electoral process. The commission said the plans will guide the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of all activities leading to the August 10, 2027 General Election, while also supporting the management of by-elections and other electoral mandates.

Speaking during the launch, IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu outlined key milestones in the electoral calendar that political parties, public officers and prospective candidates will be expected to observe.

Nderitu announced that public officers intending to contest elective positions must resign by February 9, 2027, in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements. Political parties will be required to submit their membership registers and lists of aspirants by March 16, 2027, while party primaries must be completed by May 9, 2027.

She further confirmed that the official campaign period for the 2027 General Election will run from May 29 to August 7, 2027. Campaign activities will only be permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day, ahead of the General Election scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2027.

According to the commission, the Strategic Plan 2024–2029 provides the institutional framework that will guide the IEBC’s operations over the next five years. It prioritises improved electoral governance, operational efficiency, accountability, innovation and stakeholder engagement as part of efforts to strengthen the credibility of elections.

The Election Operations Plan complements the strategic framework by providing a detailed implementation guide for all electoral activities, including voter registration, boundary-related functions, election logistics, voter education, candidate nomination processes and election-day operations.

The launch comes as the reconstituted IEBC begins preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle following the appointment of a new team of commissioners. The commission has indicated that early planning is intended to improve coordination, minimise operational challenges and provide sufficient time for electoral stakeholders to meet statutory deadlines.

The unveiling of the two plans also signals the formal start of the IEBC’s long-term election preparedness programme, with the commission expected to work closely with political parties, government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders throughout the implementation period.

As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election, the commission says the strategic and operational plans will serve as the guiding framework for delivering a transparent, efficient and credible electoral process while strengthening public trust in the country’s democratic institutions.