Aasai

IEBC chairperson nominee Erastus Edung Ethekon has assured Kenyans that he will prioritize peace and stability ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking during his vetting by the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), Edung acknowledged fears that poor election management could trigger violence similar to the 1992 and 2007 post-election crises.

Edung termed the conversation on electoral violence “uncomfortable but urgent,” stressing the importance of learning from Kenya’s painful history. He vowed to ensure such tragedies never recur, citing the devastating toll past election violence has taken on the nation.

 The nominee pledged to work closely with security agencies, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), civil society, and the media to establish early warning systems and violence prevention strategies. He also highlighted his previous experience with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he was involved in peace-building efforts after the 2007 election turmoil.

Edung promised to bring tested strategies from his UNDP tenure to the IEBC if appointed, with a goal to deliver a credible, peaceful 2027 poll. His remarks come amid fresh warnings from political figures that Kenya risks repeating past election-related violence if the next vote is mismanaged.