IEBC Sets February 26 Date for Four Pending By-Elections

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professional news article. The Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Erustus Ethekon, has announced that the four remaining by-elections will be held on February 26, 2026.

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Ethekon announced the by-election dates in a gazette notice released on December 19, confirming the vacancies in the areas and announcing directives to political parties and aspirants.

The by-elections will be for the Member of National Assembly for Isiolo South Constituency, Member of County Assembly for Muminji Ward and Evurore Ward in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, and West Kabras Ward in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County.

IEBC has directed political parties intending to participate in the by-elections to submit the names of the persons contesting in party primaries and the date of the party primaries on or before Friday, 2nd January, 2026.

An elderly woman casting her vote in the MP by-election at the Siakago Social Hall in Siakago, Mbeere North, November 27, 2025.
An elderly woman casting her vote in the MP by-election at the Siakago Social Hall in Siakago, Mbeere North, November 27, 2025. Photo UDA
Candidates who intend to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates will be required to submit their names and symbols that they intend to use during the by-elections on or before Friday, January 2, 2026.

New fully registered political parties and those that have revised their membership list have been directed by the commission to submit their certified membership lists on or before Friday, January 2, 2026.

The Commission has further directed that each political party intending to participate in the by-elections submit the names and specimen signatures of the authorised persons on or before Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The Election Commission has also directed public officers who intend to contest in the by-elections to resign from public office within seven days of the declaration of vacancy.

Political parties intending to present candidates in the by-elections through indirect nominations have been directed to submit the list of persons nominated to contest in the by-elections to the Commission on or before Friday, January 16, 2026.

Nominations of political candidates shall be held on Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23.

The campaign period for the by-elections will start on Thursday, January 22, and end on Monday, February 23, being 48 hours before the by-election day.

IEBC has announced that disputes relating to or arising from the Commission’s nomination should be lodged with the Commission within twenty-four hours of the occurrence of the dispute and, in any event, not later than Monday, January 26.