By Njeri Irungu,
March 3, 2026
Nairobi, Kenya.
The Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) has announced final preparations for the 8th Edition of the People Dialogue Festival (PDF), a four-day national civic platform aimed at fostering structured, inclusive and issue-based dialogue among Kenyans.
Addressing members of the press on Tuesday, CMD-Kenya said the annual festival has evolved into a premier space for constructive engagement between political actors, state institutions, civil society organizations and citizens. The organization, which brings together more than 30 political parties across the political divide, reiterated its commitment to strengthening Kenya’s democratic culture by promoting dialogue over division and issues over personalities.
CMD-Kenya officials noted that in an increasingly dynamic democratic environment, sustained dialogue remains essential in building trust, enhancing accountability and steering political discourse toward practical governance and electoral reforms.
In the lead-up to this year’s festival, the organization and its partners have, since October 2025, convened a series of high-level policy dialogues with national leaders and governance experts, county town hall forums to amplify grassroots voices, as well as school and campus dialogues to engage young people on democratic participation and responsible citizenship. Insights gathered from these forums will culminate in the People Dialogue Festival, where stakeholders are expected to deliberate on and ratify a consolidated, issue-based national agenda to guide democratic engagement beyond the event.
Organizers emphasized that the engagements are part of a broader effort to institutionalize issue-based politics within Kenya’s democratic culture, rather than being a one-off initiative.
The festival will adopt a blended methodology featuring joint plenary sessions addressing key national concerns such as elections preparedness, governance reforms, political accountability and citizen participation. In addition, thematic dialogue areas, popularly known as “Gumzos,” will provide structured spaces for deeper engagement on specialized themes including electoral integrity, political party reforms, governance accountability, gender equality and social inclusion.
This year’s festival is being co-convened by more than 50 civil society organizations, over 30 political parties, and various high schools and tertiary institutions. Participation is also expected from more than 10 state agencies, including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), reflecting what organizers described as a whole-of-society approach to democracy.
The central theme for the 2026 edition is Elections Preparedness. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon is expected to lead reflections and dialogue sessions bringing together both state and non-state actors within the electoral ecosystem. Key areas of discussion will include voter registration and inclusion, electoral technology and integrity, political party preparedness, dispute resolution mechanisms, and civic education aimed at strengthening public trust.
In a significant step toward practical civic engagement, voter registration services will be available at the festival venue throughout the four days, enabling eligible Kenyans to register and update their details.
CMD-Kenya called on the media fraternity to partner in amplifying the festival’s objectives by providing comprehensive coverage, facilitating public discourse on emerging issues, and encouraging active citizen participation.
The statement was issued by Frankline Mukwanja, Executive Director of CMD-Kenya.