Public officers seeking 2027 seats have until February 9 to resign as IEBC sets August 10 as election date

Public officers intending to contest in the 2027 General Election must resign from their positions by February 9, 2027, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced as part of its election roadmap.

Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operations Plan 2025–2027, IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu said the resignation deadline falls within the six months required before the election date, which has been set for Tuesday, August 10, 2027.

The announcement was made as the electoral agency unveiled its Election Operations Plan (EOP), a framework designed to guide the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of activities required for the successful conduct of the 2027 General Election.

The EOP is anchored in the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and provides a structured roadmap for delivering the election. It aims to outline key electoral activities for timely implementation, ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with Kenya’s election laws, promote stakeholder engagement and citizen participation, and enhance institutional resilience.

According to the timelines released by the commission, the election of the President of the Republic of Kenya will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2027.

“A public officer who intends to contest in the General Election shall resign from public office within six (6) months before the date of the Election, being on or before Tuesday, February 9, 2027,” Nderitu said.

Additionally, political parties will be required to submit their membership lists to IEBC on or before Tuesday, March 16, 2027.

Parties intending to present candidates in the General Election must also submit the names of persons seeking to contest in party primaries, together with the dates and venues of the primaries, by March 16, 2027.

Political parties will be expected to conduct their primaries and resolve any internal disputes on or before Sunday, May 9, 2027.

For independent candidates, IEBC said those seeking to participate in the election must not be members of any registered political party by Sunday, May 9, 2027, which is at least three months before the General Election.

Independent candidates will also be required to submit their names and symbols they intend to use during the election to the commission by the same date.

The nomination period for political party candidates and independent candidates will run from Saturday, May 29, 2027, to Friday, June 11, 2027.

IEBC said candidates will be required to submit their nomination papers to the Chairperson of the commission between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm and between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm at a place designated by the commission.

Disputes arising from nominations will be handled within 10 days after being lodged with the commission. "The disputes must be filed no later than Saturday, June 12, 2027," Nderitu said.

The commission also announced that the campaign period for the August 10, 2027, General Election will begin on Saturday, May 29, 2027, and end on Saturday, August 7, 2027.

“The campaign period for purposes of Tuesday, 10th August, 2027 General Election shall commence on Saturday, May 29, 2027 and cease on Saturday, August 7, 2027, being 48 hours before the General Election Day,” she added.

Speaking during the launch, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kenya Jean-Luc Stalon commended the Kenyan government for conducting elections every five years, saying the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and Election Operations Plan 2025–2027 were important tools in the country’s democracy journey.

He emphasised that the IEBC and the UNDP share a strong partnership in supporting the delivery of elections.

“UNDP believes these documents will shape how they support Kenya election process and deliver high-quality and impactive electoral assistance,” Stalon said.

British Deputy High Commissioner Ed Barnett MBE said the United Kingdom has continued to support IEBC in delivering elections over different election cycles.

He said the launch of the two documents was an important milestone that should ensure public funds used in supporting IEBC’s mandate are accounted for.

“Elections are the cornerstone of democracy and provide citizens, including minorities and the marginalised, a chance to have their voice heard and vote count,” Barnett said.

He called on leaders to address gender violence to allow women and girls to take part in political processes.

Barnett also raised concerns over low public trust in key electoral institutions, including IEBC, saying the issue needed to be addressed.

“There is low public trust in key electoral institutions, including IEBC, and this needs to be tackled,” he said.

He further urged Parliament to prioritise legal reforms ahead of the 2027 General Election, calling for the changes to be made early enough to support the electoral process.