The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has issued an update on the by-elections scheduled for February 26, 2026.
In a statement released on Friday, the Commission invited applications from organisations seeking accreditation as election observers and media practitioners. IEBC said the applications should be submitted through its Accreditation Management System at ams.iebc.or.ke.
The deadline for submission is February 6, 2026, at 5:00 pm.
“The Commission will conduct training and issue badges to accredited organisations to allow access to polling stations and tallying centres,” the statement said.
IEBC confirmed that four by-elections will be held on February 26, 2026, to fill vacant parliamentary and county assembly seats across the country. The announcement comes as the Commission finalises preparations for the polls.
According to a Gazette notice issued by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the by-elections will take place in Isiolo South constituency and in Muminji and Evurore wards in Mbeere North Constituency. Another by-election will be held in West Kabras ward in Kakamega County.
Chairperson Ethekon said six Returning Officers and Deputy Returning Officers have been appointed, with two officials assigned to oversee the elections in each county.
The Isiolo South parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of MP Mohamed Tubi, who was elected in 2022. The MCA seats became vacant after the incumbents resigned to contest parliamentary positions during the November 27 elections.
Political parties intending to take part in the by-elections are required to submit the names of their candidates by January 16, 2026. Independent candidates must submit their names and symbols by January 2, 2026.
“Each political party intending to participate in the by-elections shall submit the names and specimen signatures of authorised persons on or before Tuesday, January 13, 2026,” the notice stated.
The Commission added that independent candidates must not have been members of any political party for at least three months before the by-election.
IEBC will publish the names of candidates nominated through party primaries and the dates of the primaries within seven days after receiving the submissions.
Campaigns will be allowed from January 22 to February 23, 2026, and will stop 48 hours before polling day. Campaign activities will be permitted daily between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm throughout the campaign period.
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