Chief Justice Martha Koome has reactivated the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness as Kenya begins preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The decision was made during the NCAJ’s 38th Council Meeting, where members adopted several resolutions aimed at strengthening the administration of justice, improving inter-agency coordination and enhancing the country’s readiness for future elections.
The move comes after the 2022 General Election, whose presidential results were challenged at the Supreme Court before the court unanimously upheld President William Ruto’s victory.
Martha Koome sets eyes on 2027 polls preps
According to the NCAJ, the committee was revised following a briefing by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on preparations for the next General Election.
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The Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness will be led by the IEBC Chairperson and will coordinate justice-sector preparedness while strengthening collaboration among institutions involved in the electoral process.
The Council said inter-agency coordination and partnership are essential in ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral environment.
“Inter-agency coordination and partnership are essential for a peaceful and orderly electoral environment. Following a briefing by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the NCAJ reactivated its Ad Hoc Committee on Election Preparedness, led by the IEBC Chairperson,” read the Communiqué
Through the committee, justice-sector institutions will work together to support constitutional, peaceful and credible electoral processes before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Its work will include improving coordination in the management of election-related disputes, enhancing institutional preparedness, facilitating information sharing among agencies, and ensuring legal processes relating to elections are handled efficiently.
The committee also plays a role in the NCAJ’s efforts to strengthen access to justice by fostering collaboration among institutions, including the Judiciary, the IEBC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the National Police Service, and other justice-sector agencies.
The Council further noted that the NCAJ has grassroots representation through Court User Committees, which address local justice challenges.
Lessons From the 2022 Presidential Election Petition
The committee’s reactivation comes against the backdrop of the 2022 presidential election, which resulted in one of Kenya’s most significant election disputes.
Following the August 9, 2022 General Election, IEBC declared William Ruto the winner of the presidential race after securing 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49% of the valid votes cast.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, together with his running mate Martha Karua, challenged the results before the Supreme Court. Other petitions were also filed by various individuals and consolidated into a single case.
The petitioners alleged irregularities in the transmission and verification of election results of the IEBC’s electronic system.
The Supreme Court heard the petitions according to constitutional timelines and delivered its judgment on September 5, 2022.
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Supreme Court Upheld Ruto’s Victory
In a unanimous decision, the seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome dismissed all the presidential election petitions and upheld William Ruto’s election as Kenya’s fifth President.
The court found that the petitioners had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that the election was conducted in a manner warranting nullification of the results.
The judges also rejected allegations that the IEBC’s electronic systems had been unlawfully interfered with or manipulated during the election.
While reading the judgment, the Supreme Court stated that several claims made by the petitioners lacked evidentiary support. Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu remarked that some of the allegations amounted to “hot air” because they were unsupported by credible evidence.
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