Kenya: IEBC Orders Removal of Logo From Campaign Materials

What the report says

Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has directed political aspirants and other actors to stop using its logo on campaign materials and to remove any offending items within five days, according to Capital FM’s report distributed by AllAfrica. The commission warned that continued use could lead to action, saying the branding is unauthorized and may wrongly suggest official endorsement of particular candidates or activities.

The IEBC said the practice could weaken confidence in its independence, impartiality and non-partisan role, which are central to its responsibility for running elections. The warning applies to campaign posters and other political materials, and comes as political activity increases ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.

The report says the commission has raised similar concerns before. It previously cautioned political actors against early campaign-style conduct in March and had also warned about misuse of its logo before the 2022 election. In May, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon separately said politicians linked to violence or criminal gangs could face sanctions, including possible exclusion from future elections.

The latest directive underlines the commission’s effort to protect its institutional neutrality as election preparations continue. More broadly, election bodies in many countries often restrict the use of official symbols in campaigns to avoid misleading voters, though the specific enforcement steps in this case were not detailed in the report.