IEBC announces November 27 as date for all by-elections
Through notices published in two Gazette notices, the IEBC said it has settled for November 27, 2025, as the date to hold the mini-polls, which observers argue will be a precursor to the 2027 general election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced the date for the by-elections for several electoral units declared vacant.
In a statement published in two Gazette notices, the IEBC said it has settled for November 27, 2025, as the date to hold the mini-polls, which observers argue will be a precursor to the 2027 general election.
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“All by-elections will be held on 27th November 2025. The gazettement of the By-Elections has been scheduled in two batches,” read a notice from the Commission.
The first batch, Gazetted on Friday, August 8, 2025, had vacant wards to be filled. They are Angata Nanyokie Ward in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward in Nandi County, Chewani Ward in Tana River County, Fafi Ward in Garissa County, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi City County, Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, and Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Others are Mumbuni North Ward in Machakos County, Narok Town Ward in Narok County, Purko Ward in Kajiado County, Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu County, Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, Ekerenyo Wards in Nyamira County, Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards in Turkana County.
The second batch of electoral units to be filled are for constituencies, and one Senate position came through a special Gazette for Monday, August 11, 2025. They are the Baringo County Senate position, Members of the National Assembly for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North and Ugunja Constituencies and the Member of the County Assembly for Kabuchai/Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.
IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon had earlier announced that the Commission had begun preparations for the pending by-elections across the country.
Ethekon added that the agency is updating the voter register to ensure readiness to fill the 23 vacant seats, including one senatorial, six parliamentary, and 16 ward representative positions.
“This is a priority matter. As you have noticed, more than two years have already passed. Constituencies like Banisa in the Northeast have gone almost three years without a Member of Parliament,” he stated.
Banisa seat fell vacant following the death of Kullow Hassan Aden in March 2023 in a hit‑and‑run road accident in Nairobi.
Other vacant MP seats include Malava held by the late Malulu Injendi, who died after an illness, Magarini, which was declared vacant after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Harrison Kombe, and that of Kasipul of Charles Were, who was assassinated on May 1, 2025.
Ugunja and Mbeere North were occasioned by the appointment of Opiyo Wandayi and Geoffrey Ruku, respectively, to the Cabinet.
The chairperson acknowledged that delays in reconstituting the commission had slowed electoral processes. He, however, affirmed that IEBC is now fully operational and working with urgency to meet constitutional timelines.
“To make up for lost time, we have already started working at weekends. There’s no room for rest or delay,” he said.
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