The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has assured the country that preparations for the by-elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, are progressing as planned.
In a statement on Tuesday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the polls will fill four vacant elective positions in different counties.
They include the Member of the National Assembly for Isiolo South Constituency in Isiolo County, the Member of the County Assembly for West Kabras Ward in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, and the Members of the County Assembly for Muminji Ward and Evurore Ward in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County.
The IEBC reported that several key milestones have already been achieved. These include completion of procurement of election materials, gazettement of nominated candidates, polling stations and tallying centres, and full servicing and configuration of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits.
Ethekon said strategic and non-strategic election materials, including ballot papers, have been packaged and dispatched to the respective electoral areas, while training of election officials has been completed with emphasis on professionalism, integrity, customer service, and results management procedures.
Ethekon said the campaign period officially ended on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in line with gazetted timelines. He warned that any further campaigning or voter engagement for electoral purposes is prohibited.
On voting day, all eligible voters in the certified Register of Voters will be identified biometrically using KIEMS kits. The register has been displayed at polling stations for public verification.
Polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. The Commission said any time lost due to delayed opening will be compensated, and all voters in the queue by closing time will be allowed to vote.
The Commission raised concern over the growing trend of voters using mobile phones inside polling stations, noting that during the November 27, 2025, by-elections, some voters photographed marked ballot papers and shared the images online.
The IEBC stressed that the secrecy of the ballot is a constitutional right under Articles 38(3)(b) and 81(e)(i), warning that photographing or recording marked ballot papers constitutes an electoral offence and undermines the integrity of the process. Administrative control measures will be enforced at polling stations to curb the practice.
Voters requiring assistance due to disability, illiteracy or other lawful reasons may be helped by a person of their choice.
However, only one assistant is permitted per voter, and no individual may assist more than one voter. Such assistance will be officially recorded, and the assistant marked in accordance with the law.
The Commission said it is working closely with the National Police Service to secure the exercise. Two uniformed police officers will be deployed at every polling station, with additional personnel stationed at tallying centres.
The IEBC warned it will not tolerate voter intimidation, interference with election officials, or obstruction of voting and counting processes.
After the close of polling, presiding officers will open ballot boxes, count votes and tabulate results at the polling station in full view of agents, observers and the media.
To enhance transparency, agents will be allowed to photograph original results forms and copies will be publicly displayed at polling stations
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