HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS WARN OF SHAMBOLIC ELECTIONS WITHOUT URGENT REFORMS AHEAD OF 2027

Former IEBC Chair Dr. Isaac Ahmed Hassan (center) during the National Symposium on Human Rights and the Ballot in Africa at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.

By: Gladys K

Human rights advocates, electoral experts and civil society leaders have warned that Kenya risks flawed and unstable elections in 2027 unless urgent steps are taken to protect human rights before the ballot.

Speaking at the National Symposium on Human Rights and the Ballot in Africa: Securing Human Rights Before the Ballot, held at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, participants said recent by-elections exposed deep weaknesses that could undermine the credibility of future polls if left unaddressed.

The hybrid forum, organised by Chapter Four Programs and Projects Ltd with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom – East Africa, brought together constitutional lawyers, election governance experts, media practitioners and human rights defenders to examine pre-election risks and preventive strategies.

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Dr. Isaac Ahmed Hassan stressed that protecting rights ahead of voting day is central to democratic legitimacy.

“Securing human rights before candidate lists, ballots and results is foundational. Without it, elections risk becoming procedural rituals rather than genuine expressions of the people’s will,” he said.

Constitutional lawyer Prof. Patrick Lumumba warned that violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice witnessed in recent by-elections must not be repeated in 2027.

“If these acts of crookery and violence happen on a mass scale, we will not have a general election but shambolic and sham elections. That would be disastrous for our democracy, our security and the overall health of this country,” Lumumba said.

He linked voter apathy to political intimidation, noting that many registered voters stayed away from the polls out of fear. He called for impartial enforcement of the law, arguing that security agencies have the capacity to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind electoral violence.

“People know who is perpetrating and organising this violence. The law must be enforced without fear or favour,” he said.

Lumumba also cautioned political leaders against repeating the mistakes that plunged the country into crisis in 2007.

“Less than 20 years ago, this country almost sank into the abyss. If greed and bad political habits continue, this country will tank. One wonders who they will lead when the country goes down the drain,” he warned.

Concerns were also raised about interference with independent institutions, particularly the electoral body and security agencies. Lumumba reminded officials that personal oaths of office bind them to defend the Constitution.

“You do not swear an oath to those in power. You swear to the Constitution. You cannot say you were instructed to act contrary to the law. You must stand firm and do what the Constitution requires,” he said.

He warned that failure by election managers to act independently could attract serious consequences.

“If you do not deliver and do not do things the right way, history will judge you harshly. International criminal sanctions hover above those who abuse or neglect their duties, and they do not expire with age,” he said.

The symposium also drew lessons from Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon, highlighting shared challenges such as shrinking civic space, attacks on media freedom, digital repression and politically motivated arrests.

Organisers said the discussions will inform practical policy recommendations and a Nairobi Communiqué aimed at strengthening democratic resilience ahead of the 2027 elections.

The meeting comes amid heightened scrutiny of electoral conduct following recent by-elections, with civil society organisations continuing to monitor rights violations and push for stronger protections of civic freedoms.