IEBC Gazettes Date for February 2026 By-Elections [Guidelines and Timeline]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially set the date for a series of by-elections in Isiolo, Embu and Kakamega counties, while also appointing Returning and Deputy Returning Officers to oversee the polls.

The decisions were set in separate Gazette notices dated December 18 and December 19, 2025, issued under the Constitution of Kenya, the Elections Act and the Election (General) Regulations, 2012.

According to the IEBC notice issued by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the by-elections will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to fill vacancies in Isiolo South Constituency and Muminji, Evurore and West Kabras wards.

The Embu County Assembly seats for Muminji and Evurore wards fell vacant earlier this year after the sitting Member of County Assembly (MCAs) resigned to contest the November 2025 Mbeere North parliamentary by-election, which they both lost to incumbent Leo Wa Muthende.

The two vacancies were formally declared by Embu County Assembly Speaker Josiah Thiriku on December 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Isiolo South parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Mohamed Tubi Bidu, in November 2025.

“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, 26th February 2026.”

Key timelines for political parties and candidates

IEBC has outlined a detailed roadmap for political parties and candidates intending to participate in the by-elections. According to the notice, new political parties and those that have revised their membership lists must submit certified membership lists by January 2, 2026.

Also Read: CJ Koome Appoints Judge to Hear Petition Challenging Wa Muthende’s Win

Independent candidates are required to submit their names and symbols by January 2, 2026, and must not have been members of any political party in the three months preceding the by-election date.

On the other hand, political parties must submit:

• Names and specimen signatures of authorised party officials by January 13, 2026
• Names of candidates contesting in party primaries and the dates of the primaries by January 2, 2026
• Final party nominees by January 16, 2026

IEBC lists nomination, campaign and dispute resolution dates

The commission said nominations for both party and independent candidates will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and Friday, January 23, 2026.

The campaign period will run from January 22, 2026, to February 23, 2026, ending 48 hours before polling day. Campaigns will be conducted daily between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m.

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

Disputes arising from nominations must be lodged within 24 hours of occurrence and will be determined by the commission no later than February 4, 2026. They shall be heard and determined at a venue specified by the Commission.

Also Read: How to Check IEBC By-Election Results Online as Tallying Begins

The Statutory Complaint Form and the Rules of Procedure on Settlement of Disputes are accessible on the Commission’s website.

The nomination disputes shall be filed with the Commission either physically at Anniversary Towers or via email [email protected] or [email protected].

Other guidelines

For the by-elections in Muminji, Evurore and West Kabras wards, the IEBC will use the certified Register of Voters published on June 21, 2022.

The commission also announced that registration and revision of the register of voters for Isiolo South Constituency is suspended until March 30, 2026.

Public officers intending to contest are required to resign within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy, in line with the Elections Act.

In a separate Gazette notice No. 18595, Chairperson Ethekon appointed six Returning and Deputy Returning Officers for the purposes of conducting the by-elections.

The appointments were made in exercise of powers conferred on the Commission under Articles 88, 101, 177 and 193 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Elections Act.

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