NAIROBI, KENYA – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has received the first consignment of ballot papers, marking a critical step in the preparations for the 24 by-elections scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. The arrival of these materials from Athens, Greece, on the evening of Wednesday, November 19, 2025, sets the stage for a series of polls that will serve as a major political litmus test and a measure of the new commission's preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The initial shipment, consisting of 10 pallets of ballot papers and statutory forms, was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by a team led by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon. A final batch of 29 pallets is scheduled to arrive on Friday, November 21, at 7:30 PM EAT. The materials were printed by Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA in Greece at a cost of Sh27 million. The IEBC has confirmed that the dispatch of all election materials to the various constituency tallying centres will commence on Friday, November 21, with materials for remote or insecure areas like Banisa set to be airlifted.

A Sh1 Billion Electoral Test

These by-elections, among the most significant since the last general election, are estimated to cost the Kenyan taxpayer a total of Sh1.046 billion. IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan confirmed this budget before the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee, noting that the National Treasury had initially allocated Sh788 million for 16 vacancies, with a further Sh258 million required for the eight additional vacancies that arose later. The cost has drawn public scrutiny, particularly the estimated Sh550 million required for polls in constituencies where MPs were appointed to the Cabinet.

The elections will span one senatorial seat (Baringo County), six National Assembly constituencies, and 17 Members of County Assembly (MCA) wards. The vacancies have arisen from a mix of circumstances, including the death of incumbents, judicial nullification of previous results, and appointments to state positions.

The key electoral areas and reasons for the by-elections include:

• Baringo County (Senate): The seat fell vacant following the death of Senator William Cheptumo on February 16, 2025.
• Ugunja & Mbeere North Constituencies: Vacancies arose after MPs Opiyo Wandayi and Geoffrey Ruku were appointed as Cabinet Secretaries for Energy and Public Service, respectively.
• Kasipul, Malava & Banisa Constituencies: These seats became vacant following the deaths of MPs Ong'ondo Were, Malulu Injendi, and Kullow Maalim Hassan.
• Magarini Constituency: The Supreme Court nullified the 2022 election results, necessitating a fresh poll.

Political High Stakes and Rising Tensions

A total of 181 candidates have been cleared by the IEBC to contest across the 24 electoral areas. The campaigns, which officially began on October 8 and will conclude on November 24, have been marked by intense political activity and, in some areas, violence.

The Kasipul by-election has been particularly volatile, with clashes between rival supporters resulting in at least two deaths. This prompted the IEBC's Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee to fine two candidates, ODM's Boyd Were and independent candidate Philip Aroko, Sh1 million each for violating the campaign schedule and contributing to the violence. The IEBC has warned that any repeat offenses could lead to disqualification.

The by-elections are also shaping up as a major contest between the ruling UDA party and the united opposition. High-profile national figures have been actively campaigning for their respective candidates, particularly in Mbeere North and Malava, indicating the strategic importance of these polls for national political alignments.

IEBC's Preparedness and Observer Concerns

The IEBC has assured the nation of its readiness to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. Chairperson Ethekon stated that the recruitment and training of polling officials are complete and logistical arrangements are on track. Polling stations are scheduled to open from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT on election day. The commission will use the register of voters certified on June 21, 2022.

However, the pre-election period has not been without concerns. The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has raised an alarm over public officers engaging in political campaigns, urging the IEBC to enforce laws requiring their neutrality. In a statement on November 17, 2025, ELOG Chairperson Victor Nyogesa highlighted that the involvement of civil servants in politics could compromise the impartiality of the electoral process and is a violation of the Political Parties Act.

As the final ballot papers arrive and are dispatched, all eyes are on the IEBC to deliver a transparent and peaceful electoral process across the country, in what is widely seen as a crucial rehearsal for the 2027 General Election.