The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced that by-elections will be conducted on February 26th, 2026, across the country.

In a gazette notice dated December 19th, the Commission confirmed the appointment of Returning and Deputy Returning Officers.

IEBC said Isiolo, Embu and Kakamega Counties will host by-elections in their respective wards and constituencies.

“IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Articles 88 (4), 101(4), 103 (1) (a) and (d), 177(1) (a) and 193 of the Constitution, section 11 of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, Cap. 7C, sections 38, 39 (1) and (1A) and (1B) of the Elections Act, 2011 and Regulations 3 and 4 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission appoints the Returning and Deputy Returning Officers named in the 8th Column of the Schedule for purposes of conducting the by-elections scheduled to be held on Thursday, 26th February, 2026,” read part notice.

Returning Officers Appointed

• Ali Wario Ibrahim
• Njeru Curtis Mawira
• Salim Abdallah William

Deputy Returning Officers

• Ann Makandi
• Charity Gitonga Kinya
• Simon Makokha Barasa

Also Read: “Unpleasant but Understandable”: IEBC Commissioner on Meeting Seth Panyako After By-Election Loss

IEBC Gives Guidelines Ahead of Mini Polls

(a) Following the declaration of vacancies that occurred in the offices of Member of National Assembly, Isiolo South Constituency and Member of County Assembly for Muminji and Evurore Wards in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County and West Kabras Ward, in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County issued by the respective Speakers, there shall be by-elections in the above listed electoral areas on Thursday, February 26th, 2026.

(b) Each political party intending to participate in the by-elections shall submit the names and specimen signatures of the authorized persons on or before Tuesday, 13th January, 2026.

(c) Each political party intending to participate in the by-elections shall submit the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary on or before Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

(d) New fully registered political parties and those that have revised their membership list post submission of certified list to the Commission and intend to participate in the by-elections are required to submit their certified membership lists on or before Friday, January 2nd, 2026.

(e) A public officer who intends to contest in the by-elections shall resign from public office within 7 days of the declaration of vacancy.

(f) The Commission shall publish, in the Gazette, the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary within 7 days of receipt of the names of the candidates.

(g) Candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates shall not have been members of any political party at least 3 months immediately before the date of the by-elections.

(h) A political party intending to present candidates in the byelections shall, after its party primaries resolve all intra-party disputes and submit the list of persons nominated to contest in the by-elections to the Commission on or before January 16th, 2026.

(i) Political parties intending to present candidates in the by-elections through indirect nominations shall submit the list of persons nominated to contest in the by-elections to the Commission on or before January 16th, 2026.

(j) Candidates intending to participate in the by-elections as independent candidates shall submit their names and symbols that they intend to use during the by-elections for purposes of nomination of independent candidates to the Commission on or before Friday, 2nd January, 2026.

(k) The Commission shall publish in the Gazette the names and symbols of persons intending to contest in the by-elections as independent candidates within 7 days of receipt of the names of the candidates.

(l) The days for the Commission nomination of political party and independent candidates for the by-elections shall be on January 22nd, 2026 and January 23rd, 2026 and the nomination papers shall be delivered by the candidates to the respective Returning Officer between the hours of eight o’clock in the morning and one o’clock in the afternoon and between the hours of two o’clock and four o’clock in the afternoon the place designated by the Commission.

(m) Disputes relating to or arising from the Commission’s nomination shall be lodged with the Commission within 24 hours of the occurrence of the dispute and, in any event, not later than January 26th, 2026.

(n) Disputes relating to or arising from the Commission’s nomination shall be determined within ten days of the lodging of the dispute with the Commission and in any event, not later than February 4th, 2026.

Also Read: Step-by-Step: How to View IEBC By-Elections Results

(o) The campaign period for purposes of the February 26th, 2026, by-elections shall commence on January 22nd, 2026 and cease on February 23rd, 2026, being 48 hours before the By-Election Day.

(p) The Campaign time shall run from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. each day during the campaign period.

(q) Participating political parties and independent candidates shall appoint and submit to the Commission the name of one Constituency Election Agent and polling station agents on or before February 12th, 2026.

(r) For purposes of the 2026 by-elections in Muminji and Evurore Wards in Mbeere North Constituency and West Kabras Ward in Malava Constituency, the Commission shall use the certified Register of Voters published on June 21st, 2022.

(s) The registration and revision of the register of voters for Isiolo South Constituency is suspended until March 30th, 2026.

(t) If the elections are contested, the poll will take place in February 2026.

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IEBC Headquarters in Malindi. PHOTO/ IEBC.