The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) received its first shipment of ballot papers for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025.
The delivery, overseen by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, arrived on Thursday night and included 10 pallets containing ballot papers and statutory forms. The Commission said the remaining 29 pallets are expected to be delivered on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Dispatch of all election materials to constituency tallying centres is set to begin on November 21. For areas that are hard to reach or considered high risk, such as Banisa and Mandera, the ballot papers will be airlifted to ensure safe delivery.
In a move to boost transparency, IEBC invited all 51 political parties taking part in the by-elections to witness the arrival of the ballot papers. The documents were printed by Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA in Athens, Greece, at a cost of Sh27 million. The Commission emphasized its dedication to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
IEBC led by its Chairperson Erastus Ethekon at JKIA, Nairobi receiving by-election ballot papers on November 19, 2025Ethekon had previously expressed disappointment that ballot papers could not be printed locally. “Printing ballot papers in the country will not only save money and time due to logistics, but will also help in building local capacity,” he said. However, he explained that attempts to contract local or government printers have been unsuccessful due to a lack of trust.
These by-elections will fill long-standing vacancies in several counties where leadership positions have remained unoccupied for over two years. Among the seats up for election are Angata Nanyokie Ward in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny Ward in Nandi County, Chewani Ward in Tana River County, Fafi Ward in Garissa County, Kariobangi North Ward in Nairobi City County, Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County, and Metkei Ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Other constituencies going to the polls include Mumbuni North Ward in Machakos County, Narok Town Ward in Narok County, Purko Ward in Kajiado County, Tembelio Ward in Uasin Gishu County, and Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya, and Ekerenyo Wards in Nyamira County. Lake Zone and Nanaam Wards in Turkana County, as well as the Baringo Senate seat, MPs for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, Ugunja, and the MCA seat for Kabuchai, will also be contested.
Political parties intending to take part in the elections were required to submit their candidate names by Wednesday, September 17. Public officers planning to run must resign within seven days of the notice.
Campaigning is set to run from Wednesday, October 8, to Monday, November 24, between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm daily. Candidates and parties must appoint and submit their Election Agents to the Commission by November 11.
The IEBC will rely on the certified register of voters published on June 21, 2022, for verification during the polls.
