NAIROBI, KENYA – Starehe Member of Parliament Amos Mwago has issued a strong call to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee a free, fair, and transparent process in the upcoming nationwide by-elections scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. The legislator's remarks, made on Thursday, November 13, 2025, underscore a growing national conversation around the electoral body's capacity and impartiality as it prepares for this significant electoral test.

The IEBC, chaired by Erastus Ethekon, is set to conduct a total of 23 by-elections, a figure confirmed in a gazette notice dated Friday, August 8, 2025. These mini-polls will fill vacancies for six National Assembly seats, one Senate position, and 16 Member of County Assembly (MCA) wards across the country. The vacancies have arisen from various causes, including deaths, resignations, and court nullifications of previous election results. Among the areas with upcoming polls is Nairobi County's Kariobangi North Ward, which borders Mwago's Starehe constituency, giving his statement direct local relevance.

A Litmus Test for a New Commission

Mwago, a first-term MP elected on a Jubilee Party ticket in August 2022, emphasized that the credibility of the November polls will be a critical determinant of public trust in the IEBC ahead of the 2027 General Election. His concerns echo those of his party, which, through Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, publicly stated on November 4, 2025, that the IEBC must use these by-elections to restore confidence among Kenyans. "The IEBC should take caution that these by-elections are a test of its preparedness for the main contest in 2027. It must restore confidence among Kenyans that it will not be influenced," Kioni was quoted as saying.

The Starehe legislator, whose own 2022 election victory was affirmed by the High Court in March 2023 after a petition challenged the result, has a personal history with the intricacies of electoral processes. His call for vigilance is rooted in a political environment where electoral outcomes, particularly in constituencies like Starehe, have historically faced legal challenges and public scrutiny.

IEBC Asserts Readiness Amid Scrutiny

In response to mounting public and political pressure, the IEBC has repeatedly assured the nation of its preparedness. Chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed in late September 2025 that the commission had secured the necessary funding from the National Treasury and that all logistical and operational preparations were on schedule. During a consultative meeting with political parties in Machakos, Ethekon stated that the commission's preparations for the mini-polls were in "top gear."

The electoral body has published a detailed timeline for the polls. According to a notice issued on September 3, 2025, the official campaign period commenced on October 8 and will conclude on November 24, 2025, 48 hours before polling day. Campaign activities are permitted daily between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM EAT. The commission has also finalized the appointment of Returning Officers and their deputies, briefing them on their mandate to ensure strict adherence to constitutional and electoral laws.

Broader Implications for Kenyan Democracy

The series of by-elections is widely seen as a litmus test not only for the newly constituted IEBC but also for the major political formations recalibrating their strategies ahead of 2027. The contests in constituencies such as Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja, as well as the senatorial race in Baringo, will offer a snapshot of the current political landscape and party strengths.

Mwago's demand for a flawless electoral process reflects a deep-seated concern within the Kenyan electorate about the integrity of votes. As candidates and parties intensify their campaigns, the focus remains squarely on the IEBC to deliver a process that is not only efficient and transparent but also perceived as credible by all stakeholders, thereby reinforcing Kenya's democratic foundation.