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Second batch of Lesothos electoral officials benchmark on election security management
 2nd Apr 2024

The Commission hosted the second delegation of officials from the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho as well as various security outfits, who are in the country to learn on election security management.

The delegation was keen on learning how Kenya plans, trains and deploys its security personnel during elections.

Deputy Commission Secretary (DCS) - Support Services, Mr. Obadiah Keitany led the IEBC Senior Management in welcoming and sharing insights, experiences and lessons learnt from the management of the 2022 General Election. He noted that the Commission was glad to share its experiences as well as learn from its peers so as to continually improve electoral processes in Kenya.

“We are humbled by your decision to benchmark with us on how to conduct and manage election. This endorsement is a clear show of the trust you have with our processes,” said Keitany.

Dr. Meshack Lomoywara, Ag. Director Research, Electoral Boundaries and Risk Management (DREB&RM) took the delegation through the Election Security Arrangement Programme (ESAP), which is a strategic collaboration between the Commission and security agencies in the country.

“Kenya has adopted a mixed model that brings together security agencies and the Commission to ensure effective coordination of electoral security,” said Dr. Lomoywara.

“Since 2013 the Commission has collaborated with National Police Service (NPS) to ensure structured provision of election security Implementation predicated on lessons from 2007 Post-election violence and the imperatives of Article 81 of the Constitution- Free and fair elections are elections that are free from violence, intimidation, improper influence and corruption.”

Linus Onyango, the Risk and Electoral Security Officer, gave a breakdown on how ESAP is structured and its Coordination mechanisms.

“At the top is a High-level Election Security Policy Forum co-chaired by IEBC Chairperson and Inspector General of Police (IGP), followed by ESAP Policy advisory forum co-chaired by IEBC Vice-chairperson and Deputy IGP, a Multi – Agency Technical Coordination Committee is next. An Election Security Hub at IEBC is at the bottom and is responsible for to coordinating ESAP activities at the Constituencies, Counties and finally at the National Tallying centre. The Hub has linkages with women situation room and other early warning systems in the country,” said Onyango.

IEC Operations Inspector and head of delegation Mr. Kotsoane Motsie expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and time the Commission took to share the experiences, lessons learnt and challenges in managing election saying it will go a long way in informing their own operations back at home.

“Thank you very much IEBC for your warm welcome and hospitality, we have learned a lot in the two days we were here in your office. We are impressed with the way IEBC manages elections and we shall take what we have learned home to help us improve our processes,” said Motsie.

Ruth Kulundu, DCS – Operations say Kenya still has a lot to do to continuously improve its processes in election management and the collaboration and partnership with other election management bodies will help them attain this objective.

“We have come along way as a Commission and there is more, we need learn so that we may always improve our processes. We hope for continued mutually beneficial relationship between the two EMBs,” said Kulundu.