The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fixed November 27, 2025, as the date to conduct by-elections for several electoral seats that have remained vacant for extended periods.

This announcement was made official through two gazette notices published in early August, highlighting the Commission’s determination to fill these positions ahead of the 2027 general election.

In the first batch, the Commission scheduled by-elections to fill vacant ward seats, including Angata Nanyokie in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny in Nandi, Chewani in Tana River, Fafi in Garissa, Kariobangi North in Nairobi City, Kisa East in Kakamega, and Metkei in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Additional wards include Mumbuni North (Machakos), Narok Town (Narok), Purko (Kajiado), Tembelio (Uasin Gishu), Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo (Nyamira), as well as Lake Zone and Nanaam in Turkana County.

The second batch targets higher-level electoral units, including one Senate seat and several parliamentary constituencies.

These are the Baringo County Senate position; Members of the National Assembly for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja Constituencies; and the Member of County Assembly for Kabuchai/Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.

This list was released through a special gazette notice on August 11, 2025.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said preparations for the by-elections are already underway, with the agency updating the voter register to ensure a smooth electoral process.

He emphasized the urgency by stating, “This is a priority matter. As you have noticed, more than two years have already passed. Constituencies like Banisa in the Northeast have gone almost three years without a Member of Parliament.”

The Banisa seat fell vacant following the death of Kullow Hassan Aden in a hit-and-run accident in Nairobi in March 2023.

Other vacant parliamentary seats include Malava, which became open after the death of Malulu Injendi; Magarini, declared vacant after the Supreme Court nullified Harrison Kombe’s election; and Kasipul, where Charles Were was assassinated on April 30, 2025.

Ugunja and Mbeere North seats became vacant following the appointments of Opiyo Wandayi and Geoffrey Ruku to the Cabinet.

Ethekon acknowledged that the delays in reconstituting the IEBC had contributed to the slow progress in organizing these elections but confirmed that the Commission is now fully operational and committed to meeting constitutional timelines.

“To make up for lost time, we have already started working at weekends. There’s no room for rest or delay,” he added.

The November 27 by-elections mark a critical step in ensuring that all constituencies and wards have full representation ahead of the next general election, reinforcing the Commission’s mandate to uphold democratic processes in Kenya.