The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that all pending by-elections across the country will be held on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
In a notice issued on Friday, the commission outlined that the gazettement of the by-elections will be done in two phases. The first batch, published on August 8, covers 16 ward by-elections alongside the appointment of Returning and Deputy Returning Officers who will oversee the polls.
The wards in this first phase include Angata Nanyokie (Samburu), Chemundu/Kapng’etuny (Nandi), Chewani (Tana River), Fafi (Garissa), Kariobangi North (Nairobi), Kisa East (Kakamega), and Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet). Others are Mumbuni North (Machakos), Narok Town (Narok), Purko (Kajiado), Tembelio (Uasin Gishu), Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo (Nyamira), as well as Lake Zone and Nanaam (Turkana).
The second batch of gazette notices, set for publication on August 11, will include the by-election for the Baringo County Senate seat, National Assembly seats for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies, and the Member of County Assembly for Kabuchai/Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.
IEBC has directed that political parties intending to field candidates must submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorised officials by September 17, 2025. The same deadline applies for submission of candidate names by political parties and independent aspirants, as well as the provision of symbols for independents.
The commission will publish in the Gazette the list of candidates participating in party primaries and the dates of those primaries within seven days of receiving the names. Public officers intending to vie have been reminded to resign from their positions within seven days of the notice, as stipulated under the Elections Regulations, 2012. Independent candidates must not have been members of any political party within three months preceding the by-election date.
To handle disputes arising from the registration and nomination process, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has appointed an eight-member Dispute Resolution Committee, which he will chair. Fahima Araphat Abdallah will serve as vice-chairperson, while commissioners Marykaren Sorobit, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, Ann Njeri Nderitu, and Nancy Cherono Koros (secretary) complete the team.
