The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that four by-elections will be conducted on February 26, 2026, to fill vacant parliamentary and county assembly seats across the country.
In a gazette notice issued by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the Commission confirmed that the by-elections will include one parliamentary seat and three Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions.
The parliamentary by-election will be held in Isiolo South Constituency, following the death of the area’s Member of Parliament, Mohamed Tubi, who was elected during the 2022 General Election.
In addition, MCA by-elections have been scheduled for the following wards:
- Muminji Ward, Mbeere North Constituency
- Evurore Ward, Mbeere North Constituency
- West Kabras Ward, Malava Constituency, Kakamega County
The MCA seats fell vacant after the former occupants resigned in order to contest parliamentary positions during the November 27 by-elections.
Appointment of Election Officials
Chairperson Ethekon also announced the appointment of six Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers to oversee the conduct of the by-elections. Two election officials have been assigned to each affected county to ensure compliance with electoral laws and procedures.
Candidate Nomination Timelines
Political parties intending to participate in the by-elections are required to submit the names of their nominated candidates to the Commission by January 16, 2026. Independent candidates must submit their nomination papers, including proposed symbols, by January 2, 2026.
Additionally, political parties must submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorized party officials no later than Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
“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,” the gazette notice stated.
The Commission further clarified that independent candidates must not have been members of any political party for at least three months prior to the by-election date, in line with electoral regulations.
Party Primaries and Campaign Period
IEBC indicated that it will publish, in the Kenya Gazette, the names of candidates contesting party primaries and the dates of those primaries within seven days of receiving the candidate lists.
Campaigning for the by-elections will officially run from January 22 to February 23, 2026, ending 48 hours before polling day. Campaign activities will be permitted daily between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. throughout the campaign period.
The Commission urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the electoral timelines and regulations to ensure a transparent, peaceful, and credible electoral process.
