Big test for IEBC over mini-polls as political heavyweights set to flex muscles
Six National Assembly seats, one senatorial position and 15 Member of County Assembly (MCA) vacancies are up for grabs in by-elections that have been delayed for months due to the previous lack of a fully constituted IEBC.
Even as the stage is set for a supremacy battle among political heavyweights in the forthcoming mini-polls for 22 electoral positions, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) finds itself in a challenging position regarding its mandate.
Firstly, the agency has acknowledged a looming constitutional hurdle as it prepares for by-elections, some of which have already surpassed the 90-day deadline stipulated by law. Reports that there are no funds to conduct the mini-polls, which will cost millions of shillings, are also weighing heavily on the Commission.
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Six National Assembly seats, one senatorial position and 15 Member of County Assembly (MCA) vacancies are up for grabs in by-elections that have been delayed for months due to the previous lack of a fully constituted IEBC.
One of the most pressing issues on the Commission’s agenda is how to proceed with by-elections in areas where the constitutionally mandated 90-day window has already lapsed.
Political parties are gearing up for fiercely contested mini-polls, viewing them as early indicators of strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
On Thursday, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), unveiled its first batch of aspirants for the by-elections, signalling its determination to challenge both President William Ruto’s ruling alliance and the opposition led by Raila Odinga.
The newly formed DCP, now led by Gachagua following his impeachment eight months ago, presented two candidates — Aden Mohamed for Banisa Constituency and Edgar Busiega for Malava Constituency — during an event at its headquarters in Nairobi.
“These are young people. DCP is a party that believes in nurturing young leadership, and the party leader and the NEC have committed to setting aside resources to ensure DCP wins more than 50 per cent of the available by-election seats,” said DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala.
The Banisa and Malava by-elections were triggered by the deaths of Banisa MP Kulow Maalim Hassan in March 2023 and Malava MP Moses Injendi earlier this year.
Political commentator Samuel Owida told the Eastleigh Voice that the mini-polls hold great significance for major political players, as they provide an opportunity to assess strengths and weaknesses across different regions.
“Those eyeing the presidency will want to gauge their influence in specific areas of the country through these by-elections. That’s why political outfits take mini-polls so seriously, sometimes even collaborating to maximise their chances,” Owida noted.
The unveiling of DCP’s candidates comes as the now fully constituted IEBC prepares to conduct the 22 long-delayed by-elections, including six National Assembly seats, one Senate position and 15 MCA slots. The delays were attributed to the Commission previously lacking a quorum following the expiry of several commissioners’ terms.
“As DCP, we have decided to field candidates in all the by-elections across Kenya. We call on the IEBC commissioners to hasten the process of conducting these pending by-elections,” Malala added.
DCP also intends to field candidates in constituencies such as Kasipul, where MP Ongondo Were was killed by assailants in Nairobi, and Ugunja, which became vacant after MP Opiyo Wandayi was appointed Energy Cabinet Secretary following the formation of a broad-based government.
Budget cuts
These political manoeuvres come as the electoral body must prepare for the 2027 General Election, even as the National Treasury signals significant budget cuts for both the main polls and upcoming by-elections.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Senate Devolution Committee that the cost of running elections in Kenya has become unsustainable, urging the IEBC to adopt cost-cutting measures and make more efficient use of public funds.
“Our elections are too expensive. Items like ballot boxes and surveillance equipment are reusable. There’s no need to buy everything afresh every five years,” Mbadi said.
Citing the repeated procurement of new election materials as a major source of waste, Mbadi emphasised that the government will press the IEBC to reuse previously purchased assets during the next electoral cycle.
“We’re going to ask tough questions. The IEBC must operate more efficiently. The cost of elections in this country is simply too high,” he insisted.
Mbadi confirmed that, despite the current budget lacking specific allocations for by-elections and the 2027 General Election, the Treasury will still find ways to fund them.
“We have no choice, we must hold elections in 2027 and also conduct the by-elections. So we’ll have to realign our budgets. I know the IEBC is complaining, but they must become more efficient,” he added.
The 2022 General Election cost the country approximately Sh36 billion, with the IEBC accounting for Sh34.5 billion in direct costs and the remainder covering indirect expenses.
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