Darubini ya Uchaguzi Issue No. 5

Since the disputed 2017 elections, the country has been on a permanent campaign mode that has created both a heated political landscape and excitement, especially around the conduct and management of electoral processes. This environment has been largely fueled mainly by succession politics, given that the incumbent President is on his final term and also taking into account that the last three General Elections outcomes in the country have been fiercely contested With the recent 2017 dispute over the conduct of the elections leading to a historic annulment and holding of fresh presidential elections, a cross-section of actors have been very animated in initiating early electoral reforms that would lead to a more credible and acceptable electoral process in 2022. Three main initiatives that seek to address a number of these reform issues have been engaged over the last year; The Punguza Mizigo Initiative (PMI) by the Third Alliance Party, The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) fronted by the incumbent President and the Orange Democratic Party leadership, and lastly the faith-led Dialogue Reference Group (DRG). This is in addition to the normal reform approaches spearheaded by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Parliament, and other actors, especially the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).