The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced full preparedness for the upcoming February 26, 2026 by-elections, assuring voters that all materials, technology, and personnel are in place as the country heads into the mini-poll.
Four Vacant Seats to Be Filled
According to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, the by-elections will cover:
- Isiolo South Constituency (Member of the National Assembly)
- West Kabras Ward (Kakamega County)
- Muminji Ward (Embu County)
- Evurore Ward (Embu County)
Ethekon confirmed that procurement of election materials, gazetting of candidates, polling stations, and tallying centres have been finalized. The Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits have been serviced, configured, and dispatched for deployment.
Campaigns Officially Closed
The commission noted that campaigns ended on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in line with gazetted timelines. Any further campaigning or voter engagement for electoral purposes is prohibited.
Polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m., with voters still in queue at closing time allowed to cast their ballots.
Upholding Secrecy of the Ballot
Ethekon cautioned against the use of mobile phones inside polling stations, citing incidents from the November 2025 by-elections where voters photographed marked ballot papers and shared them online.
“The secrecy of the ballot is a constitutional right… Any act that compromises this secrecy undermines the integrity of the electoral process and constitutes an electoral offence,” he said.
Assisted Voting and Agent Regulations
Persons with disabilities, illiterate voters, or those requiring lawful assistance may be helped by a person of their choice, though each assistant may only help one voter and must be officially recorded.
Ethekon also emphasized that only one accredited agent per candidate or party will be allowed at polling stations, and only one chief agent at tallying centres. He dismissed the notion of “super agents” and warned against unauthorized presence.
Security and Transparency Measures
The IEBC, working with the National Police Service (NPS), will deploy at least two uniformed officers per polling station, with additional personnel at tallying centres to deter intimidation or disruption.
After voting closes, counting will take place at polling stations in full view of agents, observers, and the media. Results forms will be displayed publicly, and agents will be allowed to photograph them. Final results will be collated and announced at constituency tallying centres, with certificates issued to winners.
Ethekon reminded stakeholders that courts of law remain the lawful avenue for electoral dispute resolution, and results will be accessible on the Commission’s official portal.
