Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Kenyans and development partners that the 2027 General Election will be free, fair, peaceful and credible, amid growing focus on the country’s preparedness for the polls.
Prof Kindiki said the Government was committed to upholding the Constitution and protecting the integrity of the electoral process, dismissing concerns over possible interference with the elections.
The Deputy President was speaking at Karen Residence during the 15th Development Partnership Forum (DPF), which brought together senior Government officials and representatives of development partners to review progress in programmes aimed at empowering young people.
Prof Kindiki also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a free media and a vibrant civil society, saying the two institutions remained important pillars of Kenya’s democratic system.
He urged development partners working in the country to engage Government agencies and other institutions through established and formal procedures.
The forum was co-chaired by Prof Kindiki, German Ambassador Sebastian Groth and United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Garry Conille.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also addressed the meeting, urged Kenyans and political actors to exercise restraint and uphold confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Mudavadi said responsible conduct by all stakeholders would be critical to safeguarding the credibility and legitimacy of the 2027 elections.
The discussions also focused on the economy, youth employment and the threat posed by adverse weather.
Participants reviewed progress made in implementing programmes and projects on youth empowerment funded jointly by the Government and development partners.
The meeting agreed on new areas of cooperation aimed at expanding skills development and creating more jobs and income-generating opportunities for young people.
The Government and its development partners are expected to develop new programmes targeting youth skills, employment and economic opportunities, with the forum providing a platform for coordinating existing interventions and identifying areas requiring additional support.
Prof Kindiki said the stabilisation of the economy had created a foundation for continued recovery, but cautioned that the anticipated El Niño rains could undermine some of the gains already made.
He said the Government had put in place extensive measures to prepare for and respond to the effects of the adverse weather, including efforts to reduce the impact on vulnerable communities and economic activities.
The Deputy President called on development partners to supplement Government interventions, saying coordinated action would be necessary to ensure an effective response.
The forum agreed that the Government’s El Niño preparedness and response measures should be integrated with initiatives being implemented by development partners.
The move is intended to ensure that government agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners operate within a coordinated framework, reducing duplication and strengthening preparedness and response.
The DPF provides a platform for the Government and development partners to assess progress on jointly supported programmes, address emerging challenges and identify new areas of cooperation.
This year’s meeting placed particular emphasis on youth empowerment, employment creation, economic resilience and disaster preparedness, while also providing an opportunity for the Government to outline its priorities ahead of the 2027 election.
Prof Kindiki said continued collaboration between Kenya and its development partners would be essential in sustaining economic recovery and expanding opportunities for young people.
The Government also stressed the importance of coordinated preparedness as the country faces the risk of adverse weather disrupting livelihoods, infrastructure and economic activity.
