Italy Gives €1m to IEBC for August 2017 Kenyan Polls

By Dipo Olowookere

The Italian government has pledged to contribute €1 million towards preparation of the 2017 general elections in Kenya.

Through UNDP’s Strengthening Electoral Processes in Kenya project, Italy has entered into an agreement with UNDP to support the strengthening of IEBC’s institutional capacity, legislative frameworks, citizen participation in elections, and electoral dispute resolution.

“The aim of this common effort – Italy joins other donors in this initiative – is also to reach out to the Kenyan citizens and guarantee the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities, both to vote and to be elected” said His Excellency, Mauro Massoni, the Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya.

This tripartite partnership is strategic, as it facilitates the implementation of IEBC’s roadmap to the August 2017 General Elections, under the guiding principles of inclusion, equity, transparency, results orientation and collaboration.

The electoral assistance project contributes to Kenya’s development objectives under the vision 2030 and with electoral preparedness as well as the electoral process itself reinforcing the national values espoused in the Constitution of Kenya on patriotism, national unity, sharing, participation, inclusion, equality, observance of human rights and the rule of law.

“A credible election process can only take place if democratic institutions are well managed, supported and nurtured. Developing capacities and capabilities as well as strengthening election management bodies, is therefore, crucial”. Said Siddharth Chatterjee, UN Resident Coordinator to Kenya and UNDP Resident Representative to Kenya

UNDP with support from development partners has been providing technical assistance to elections in Kenya. This technical assistance is aimed at fostering a free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful election by strengthening the legal framework and institutional capacity of IEBC, ORPP, Judiciary and other government institutions, whose mandates contributes to management of elections; enhancing effective participation in electoral processes by citizens, especially youth, women, persons with disabilities and marginalized groups; electoral operations, voting day security arrangements; and strengthened electoral dispute resolution.