The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was one of the major winners during the 7th National Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR) gala, held on Friday, 7th March 2025, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi.
The Commission scooped the Best Constitutional Commission and Independent Office award on Ethnic Representation, which feted its dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity in Kenya’s governance and electoral processes.
Further, the IEBC was named the runner-up in three other key categories: Best Constitutional Commission and Independent Office on representation for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Best Constitutional Commission and Independent Office on Equitable Allocation of Opportunities and Resources and Best Constitutional Commission and Independent Office in propagating Good Governance, Transparency, and Accountability.
These four awards highlight the Commission’s continuous efforts in ensuring fair representation of marginalized groups in the electoral process. Acting Director of Voter Education and Partnerships Amina Soud, HSC was present to receive the wards.
The DIAR Awards, celebrate individuals and organizations championing environmental, social and governance principles alongside diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging values in Kenya. This year’s gala theme was, “Awarding Investors in People, Planet Guardians and Champions of Prosperity for Posterity,” which emphasized the importance of inclusivity, sustainability and social change. The award gala was organized by Daima Trust, a social enterprise established in 2017, which actively promotes diversity and inclusion through various initiatives, including the DIAR Awards and workshops.
IEBC in the 2022 General Elections demonstrated a firm commitment to fostering an inclusive electoral process by implementing policies and initiatives that ensure marginalized groups actively participate in governance. Article 100 of the Kenyan Constitution mandates Parliament to enact legislation that promotes the representation of marginalized groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and marginalized communities. In alignment with this, IEBC expanded its definition of special interest groups to include Kenyans living abroad, the elderly, prisoners, students and street families, ensuring their voices are heard in electoral matters.
To enhance participation, IEBC follows an electoral-cycle approach, incorporating inclusivity across the pre-election, election and post-election phases. During the pre-election period, the Commission focuses on gender and youth-inclusive budgeting, advocating for adherence to the two-thirds gender rule, and conducting targeted voter registration. In the election phase, initiatives such as reduced nomination fees for youth candidates, peace campaigns, and inclusive voting measures help ensure fair participation. Post-election activities involve conducting audits on youth representation, proposing youth-responsive legal reforms, and developing inclusive voter education strategies.
IEBC also developed a Gender and Social Inclusion Policy (GSIP), 2019 to provide a framework for increasing the participation of Special Interest Groups in electoral processes. The guiding principles of this policy include equity, gender equality, non-discrimination, human rights adherence, transparency, and accountability. The GSIP mandates the IEBC to adhere to the Two-Thirds Gender Principle and ensure at least 5% of appointive bodies comprise persons with disabilities.
It also emphasizes the importance of making election offices and events accessible, reserving at least 30% of all procurement opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities. The Commission is also proposing legislation to protect marginalized groups in boundary delimitation. Additionally, the Commission utilizes inclusive technology for voter registration and ensures voter education materials are available in accessible formats, including braille, sign language interpretation and audio materials.
To institutionalize inclusivity, the Commission has established Women Coordinating Committee (WCC), Youth Coordinating Committee (YCC) and Disability Inclusion Coordinating Committee (DICC) across all 47 counties. It has also accredited organizations that serve and are led by special interest groups as election observers and voter education providers.
Furthermore, the Commission has deployed Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) interpreters in IEBC events and broadcasts, partnered with Signs Media to use the AssistAll App for accessible electoral information and conducted accessibility audits to ensure polling stations are user-friendly for persons with disabilities. Additional efforts include setting up Communication Centers in every constituency to engage youth and women in electoral discussions and collaborating with key agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to enforce electoral integrity and security.
Despite these efforts, IEBC faces significant challenges in ensuring full inclusion of marginalized groups. Limited funding restricts the Commission’s ability to implement extensive voter outreach programs. Voter apathy among marginalized groups also remains a challenge, as does the lack of political goodwill in fully implementing the two-thirds gender rule. Additionally, cultural beliefs in some communities continue to hinder the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in electoral processes.
The IEBC’s recognition at the DIAR Awards 2025 underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive electoral environment. Through policies, programs, and collaborations, the Commission is paving the way for fair representation and greater participation of marginalized groups in Kenya’s governance.
However, to achieve full inclusivity, efforts should be made to address funding gaps, political resistance and societal barriers. As Kenya progresses toward more democratic and inclusive elections, the IEBC remains a key driver in ensuring that every citizen, regardless of background, has a voice in shaping the nation’s future.