Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured international partners that Kenya is putting in place measures to guarantee peaceful elections in 2027, saying the National Police Service is strengthening its preparedness to secure the electoral process.
Murkomen said the government was committed to ensuring that all stages of the 2027 General Election, from political campaigns to the announcement of results and the post-election period, are conducted peacefully.
Speaking on Monday during a meeting with the Refugee Donor Group (RDG) Heads of Mission and other international partners in Nairobi, the CS expressed confidence in the country's security preparations ahead of the elections.
He acknowledged that isolated incidents sometimes occur during political campaigns but maintained that such cases are manageable and should not be taken as a reflection of the country's overall security situation.
According to Murkomen, the National Police Service is enhancing its capacity and preparedness to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period.
He noted that the security agencies were focused on ensuring the safety of Kenyans and protecting the integrity of the electoral process, including voting, counting and the declaration of results.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the government and international partners to assess progress in implementing the Shirika Plan, a 12-year government initiative aimed at transforming refugee camps into integrated, self-reliant municipalities.
Murkomen commended the Refugee Donor Group for its continued support and partnership in implementing the programme, noting that the initiative had recorded progress in several key areas.
He highlighted improvements in social protection, financial inclusion, access to health insurance and the establishment of municipal governance structures as some of the gains made under the plan.
The CS also pointed to the expansion of financial services for refugees, revealing that registered refugees with valid refugee identification cards can now access M-Pesa services.
The development is expected to improve financial inclusion by allowing refugees to participate more actively in Kenya's digital economy.
Access to mobile money services provides refugees with additional opportunities to carry out financial transactions and access services without facing some of the barriers that previously limited their participation in the formal economy.
The Shirika Plan is part of the government's broader approach to refugee management, shifting from a camp-based model towards one that promotes self-reliance, economic participation and integration with host communities.
The engagement with international partners comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election while continuing to pursue reforms in refugee management through cooperation with development partners and humanitarian organisations.
