IEBC Confirms Full Preparedness for Thursday's By-Elections as Campaigns Conclude
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has declared itself fully ready for the by-elections set to take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon affirmed that all logistical preparations are on track, including the procurement and dispatch of election materials, gazettement of candidates, polling stations, and tallying centres. The Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits have been fully serviced, configured, and deployed for biometric voter verification, while election officials have undergone comprehensive training on professionalism, integrity, and proper handling of results.
Campaigns for the four vacant seats officially ended on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in accordance with the published election schedule. No further campaigning or voter mobilization is permitted beyond this deadline, and any violations could result in penalties. The by-elections will fill one National Assembly seat in Isiolo South Constituency and three County Assembly ward representative positions: West Kabras Ward in Kakamega County, as well as Muminji and Evurore Wards in Embu County's Mbeere North Constituency. Polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., with voters already in queue at closing time allowed to cast their ballots.
To safeguard the integrity of the process, the IEBC has outlined strict guidelines, including a ban on using mobile phones inside polling stations to photograph or record marked ballots, which violates constitutional provisions on ballot secrecy. Assisted voting is available for persons with disabilities or those needing help, limited to one chosen assistant per voter. Security measures include the deployment of at least two uniformed National Police Service officers per polling station, with additional personnel at tallying centres to prevent intimidation or disruption. Only accredited agents will be permitted in designated areas, and unauthorized individuals, including those wearing political attire, will be barred. Results will be counted transparently at polling stations, collated at constituency centres, and made publicly available on the IEBC portal.
