Today, Act Change Transform (Act!), in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, launched the Reformed Elections for Enhanced Democracy and Inclusion (REDI) Programme (2025–2028). This programme addresses 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 like misinformation and technology-facilitated violence. The launch fostered evidence-informed dialogue, coordination, and collective action for the 2027 elections, linking programme priorities with findings from Act!’s Electoral Conflict Risk Mapping and Assessment, Political Economy Analysis, and Public Perception Survey (January–May 2026). This ensured 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, strengthening stakeholder awareness and ownership with support from state actors and partners.
The launch gathered over 100 participants from public institutions, civil society, and development partners, including representatives from electoral bodies, government agencies, development partners (Embassies of Sweden, Denmark, and Japan), civil society, academia, media, youth, women, and persons with disabilities. This fostered a 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, contributing to Kenya’s long-term democratic resilience.
The launch served as a strategic entry point to translate evidence into coordinated action, with stakeholders emphasizing 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝘄. This included reaffirming government readiness for the next general elections, focusing on strengthening key institutions (such as IEBC and NCIC) to ensure free, fair, credible, and inclusive outcomes. It also highlighted Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Inclusive Governance, including cross-sector partnerships and an issue-based, service-focused agenda with development partners.
Marie Ottosson, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden, reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting the REDI Programme’s shift from theory to action, emphasising long-term engagement, collaboration and continuous learning with Act! and key stakeholders to advance peaceful, inclusive and resilient electoral processes in Kenya. As Kenya looks towards 2027, the time to act is now!
