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The newly constituted electoral commission faces its first major test with polls spanning one Senate seat, six National Assembly slots, and 17 county wards, setting the political tone ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially gazetted Thursday, November 27, 2025, as the date for 24 by-elections across Kenya, a move that will fill leadership gaps in one senatorial race, six parliamentary constituencies, and 17 Members of County Assembly (MCA) wards. The announcement, detailed in Gazette Notices published on Friday, October 31, 2025, sets in motion a crucial electoral process that will serve as a significant litmus test for the recently appointed commission led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
These mini-polls are necessitated by a variety of circumstances, including the death of incumbent leaders, appointments to state offices, and court-ordered nullifications of previous election results. The extensive nature of these elections, which had been delayed due to the prolonged period without a fully constituted commission, underscores the immediate challenge for the new IEBC leadership to deliver free, fair, and credible results.
The by-elections will see intense political activity in various parts of the country. The key contests include:
These elections are widely seen by political observers as an opportunity for major political formations, including the ruling coalition and the opposition, to gauge their grassroots strength and recalibrate their strategies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a notice issued by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the IEBC outlined a strict schedule for the electoral process. The official campaign period is set to run from Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to Monday, November 24, 2025, concluding 48 hours before polling day. All campaign activities must take place between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EAT.
Political parties were required to submit the names of their candidates by September 17, 2025. The commission has emphasized that all candidates and parties must strictly adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct to ensure a peaceful and orderly process. "The Commission remains resolute in its mandate to uphold and strengthen Kenya's democracy," the IEBC stated in its October 31 update.
The cost of these by-elections has sparked public debate. IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan announced that the 24 polls are budgeted to cost taxpayers Sh1.046 billion. This figure has reignited discussions about Kenya's high cost of elections, which is among the most expensive globally on a per-voter basis. Chairperson Ethekon has attributed the high costs to a "trust deficit" among Kenyans, which necessitates expensive security features on ballot papers and other logistical measures.
Despite the financial concerns, the commission has affirmed its readiness to conduct the polls, viewing them as a crucial trial run for the 2027 elections. The new commission, appointed by President William Ruto and approved by Parliament in June 2025, is under pressure to restore public confidence after a period of uncertainty at the electoral body. The successful management of these 24 by-elections will be a critical first step in demonstrating its capacity to oversee a national election.
The IEBC has made the Gazette Notices, which include lists of nominated candidates and designated polling stations, available on its official website to enhance transparency. Voters in the affected areas are urged to verify their registration details and prepare for the Thursday, November 27 polling day.
