Mbeeere North, Malava duels round 2: IEBC sets ward and Isiolo South MP polls for February
IEBC officials set up solar lighting kits, ballot boxes and other polling materials at St. Bakhita Siakago Girls High School in Mbeere on November 24, 2025, ahead of the Mbeere North by-election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set Thursday, February 26, 2026, as the date for by-elections in Isiolo, Embu and Kakamega counties, following vacancies in one parliamentary seat and three county assembly positions.
In a Gazette notice, the commission said the polls will fill the seat of Member of the National Assembly for Isiolo South Constituency, as well as Member of County Assembly positions in Muminji and Evurore wards in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, and West Kabras Ward in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County.
The Isiolo South seat fell vacant following the death of the area MP, Mohamed Tubi, who was elected in August 2022 on a Jubilee Party ticket.
The three MCA seats became vacant after the incumbents resigned to pursue parliamentary seats.
In Mbeere North, Muminji Ward MCA Newton Kariuki, elected on Devolution Empowerment party ticket, and his Evurore Ward counterpart Duncan Mbui both stepped down to contest the recently concluded parliamentary by-election.
Mbeere North by-election parliamentary candidate Duncan Mbui of Chama Cha Kazi campaigns at Kamumu Village on November 19, 2025.
In Kakamega, West Kabras Ward MCA David Ndakwa, elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, resigned to vie for the Malava parliamentary seat, which he won.
The IEBC outlined a tight electoral calendar beginning in early January. Political parties intending to participate are required to submit details of party primaries and certified membership lists by January 2, 2026, and the names and specimen signatures of authorised officials by January 13.
Parties must conclude their primaries, resolve all internal disputes and submit their nominated candidates by January 16.
Independent candidates, the commission said, “shall not have been members of any political party at least three (3) months immediately before the date of the by-elections” and must submit their names and symbols by January 2.
The IEBC will gazette the names of both party and independent candidates within seven days of receipt.
Nomination of candidates will take place on January 22 and 23, with nomination papers to be delivered to returning officers at designated venues during specified hours.
Any disputes arising from nominations must be lodged within 24 hours of occurrence and no later than January 26, and will be determined by February 4.
Campaigning will run from January 22 to February 23, 48 hours before polling day. Campaign activities are restricted to between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, and candidates and parties are required to submit the names of constituency election agents and polling station agents by February 12.
For the ward by-elections in Embu and Kakamega, the commission said it will use the certified register of voters published on June 21, 2022. Voter registration and revision in Isiolo South Constituency have been suspended until March 30, 2026.
Public officers intending to contest must resign from office within seven days of the declaration of the relevant vacancy.
The IEBC reminded candidates and political parties that the by-elections will be conducted in accordance with the Elections Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act and Chapter Six of the Constitution, and that all participants must subscribe to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
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