From May 16 to 20, 2022, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) jointly conducted a pre-election assessment mission (PEAM) as part of their overall observation of Kenya’s 2022 general elections. The purpose of the PEAM assessment to Kenya was to:

●        Assess the current political environment as well as the electoral preparations in advance of the August 2022 general elections;

●        Provide independent, impartial information as well as practical recommendations before election day to improve the process; and

●        Demonstrate international support for credible and peaceful electoral processes in Kenya.

In this context, the PEAM assessment of the pre-election environment serves as an important component of NDI and IRI’s overall observation of Kenya’s electoral process, which also includes the presence of long-term analysts based in Nairobi. 

The assessment delegation comprised Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana; James Lahai, the National Coordinator of National Election Watch (Sierra Leone); Nicole Rowsell, Acting Vice President of the National Democratic Institute (USA); and Yomi Jacobs, Resident Program Director of the International Republican Institute in Kenya (Nigeria). 

The delegation conducted its activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, which was launched in 2005 at the United Nations, and in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Kenya. All activities were conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the election process.

The delegation met with a wide array of election stakeholders, including: the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), political parties, civil society, business associations, media representatives, religious leaders, the judiciary, and government actors. The delegation expresses its appreciation to everyone with whom it met for sharing insights from which the mission benefited greatly.

IRI and NDI are nonpartisan, nongovernmental, nonprofit organizations that support and strengthen democratic institutions and practices worldwide. The Institutes have collectively observed more than 200 elections in more than 50 countries over the past 30 years. NDI and IRI will conduct a second pre-election assessment mission to assess progress toward key recommendations before Kenya’s general elections scheduled for August 9, 2022.

Read attached their full statement