IFES and NIMD partner to conduct BRIDGE Train the Facilitator (TtF) for IEBC Kenya, NEC Somaliland and ORPP Kenya

BRIDGE TtF Returns to Kenya a Decade Later: Training Revives Regional Collaboration in Electoral Capacity Building

Nairobi, 25 August to 3 September 2025; The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) in partnership with International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), successfully delivered the Train the Facilitator (TTF) BRIDGE Course in Nairobi. The training marked the revival of BRIDGE in Kenya after nearly a decade, with the last TTF held in 2016.

Facilitated by Accrediting Facilitator Rindai Chipfunde Vava, alongside Ann Nderitu (Commissioner, IEBC-Kenya), Obaje Michael Ukeh (IFES Country Director), and Saeed Mohamed Osman (Commissioner, NEC-Somaliland), the course brought together 20 participants from three Electoral Management Bodies: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya (IEBC), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties of Kenya (ORPP), and the National Electoral Commission of Somaliland (NEC). One notable highlight of this TTF was the participation of two sitting commissioners, Commissioner Ann Nderitu. (IEBC Kenya) and Commissioner Saeed M. Osman (NEC Somaliland) who were the key facilitators of the 10-day intensive training. A first of its kind approach which underscores the uniqueness of the BRIDGE TTF.

True to BRIDGE’s inclusivity principle, the participants included commissioners, policymakers, and technical staff; 12 men and 8 women representing a diverse pool of electoral expertise. The ten-day training centered on electoral principles, professional development, operational training, and the strengthening of support networks across EMBs.

 “I have carried out training for over 13 years now and honestly the TTF is transformational.” Ali Abdilahi Surraw, Assistant Registrar, Office of the Registrar of Political Parties

The program also served as a critical platform for peer learning, reinforcing collaboration between Kenya and Somaliland while enhancing local capacity to cascade future BRIDGE trainings. By equipping participants with facilitation techniques and an in-depth understanding of electoral processes, the TTF is expected to create a multiplier effect across the two countries’ EMBs. Overall, the participants were satisfied with the content of the course and the variety of the training methodologies used. All the participants expressed gratitude to the facilitators, course organizers and donors.

“BRIDGE has strengthened my skills and I will implement the BRIDGE cross cutting themes, including integrity and inclusivity” Hellen Sidi, manager Human resource development, IEBC

 “This training is a gamechanger to election stakeholders.” Commissioner Abdirisak Mohamed Saed, National Electoral Commission of Somaliland