Fair Electoral Reforms, Zero Violence Against Women: ENAF and DTF Issue Joint Call Ahead of 2027 Elections
Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), the Democracy Trust Fund (DTF), alongside Women Peace Actors and women leaders across Kenya, issued an urgent joint statement demanding fair electoral amendments and an immediate end to political violence targeting women.
As the country prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the coalition highlighted two critical threats to inclusive democratic participation: the implications of the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, and a disturbing surge in early electoral violence.
Safeguarding Transparency in Electoral Reforms
The coalition expressed deep concern over the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which is currently before the Senate. The proposed amendments raise critical questions regarding political party primaries, dispute resolution, public access to the voter register, and the livestreaming of election results. ENAF and DTF stressed that any legislative changes must strengthen safeguards for fair political competition, demanding transparent party nominations, clear legal frameworks for dispute resolution between the IEBC and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, and accessible voter registration.
Zero Tolerance for Electoral Violence
The statement strongly condemned the normalization of violence, intimidation, and gender-based harassment. The coalition cited alarming evidence from the 2022 elections, where FIDA Kenya documented 1,746 cases of election-related sexual and gender-based violence, with verbal abuse and hate speech accounting for 54% of incidents and cyberbullying for 23%.
Recent incidents across Kisii, Baringo, Kisumu, Meru, Nairobi, and Homa Bay counties—including reported physical attacks, public heckling, and property damage targeting women aspirants—demonstrate that these risks remain an urgent threat well ahead of the formal election period.
A Unified Call to Action
The coalition outlined a priority action plan for key national institutions:
- Security and Protection: The National Police Service (NPS) and IEBC must map electoral hotspots and ensure prompt responses to threats against women.
- Accountability: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) must ensure prompt, impartial investigations into reported violence.
- Responsible Conduct: The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) must strictly enforce codes of conduct to curb hate speech and intimidation.
Safeguarding women in politics is a shared national responsibility. ENAF and DTF remain committed to engaging institutions and stakeholders to ensure the 2027 elections are peaceful, credible, and truly inclusive.