IEBC announces readiness for Emurua Dikirr and MCA by-elections on 14th May, confirms polling hours
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, May 5, 2026Kenya is only nine days away from what is most anticipated to be the May 14, 2026, by-elections, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirming that voting will be conducted in three electoral areas in different parts of the country.
The by-elections are going to decide who will be the next leader of Narok County National Assembly Member Emurua Dikirr Constituency (Narok County) and county assembly members for Porro Ward (Samburu County) and Endo Ward (Elgeyo/Marakwet County).
IEBC stipulates strict hours of voting
In its preparations, the IEBC, in a post on its X handle on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, has assured that all the polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. on the day of the elections. The Commission has also stressed that any lost time at the opening of polling stations will be recuperated at the close of the voting so as to ensure that all eligible voters are served.
Significantly, IEBC has guaranteed the Kenyans that all voters who will be in the queue by 5:00 p.m. will be permitted to cast their votes, even when the voting continues beyond the official closing time.
“9 days to the May 14 by-elections: 1. Member of the National Assembly for Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County (1) 2. Member of County Assembly: Porro Ward in Samburu County and Endo Ward in Elgeyo/Marakwet County (2). Polling stations are open from 6.00 am to 5.00 pm. Any lost time at opening will be recovered at closing, and voters in the queue by 5.00 pm will be allowed to vote,” the IEBC noted in its statement.
Declaration of vacancies
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that by-elections will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, to fill three vacant seats in Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County, Porro Ward in Samburu West Constituency, and Endo Ward in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo/Marakwet County.
The Emurua Dikirr parliamentary seat became vacant on March 10, 2026, following the death of area MP Johana Kipyegon Ng’eno in a helicopter crash on February 28, 2026, in the Chepkiep area of Mosop Constituency, Nandi County. He died alongside five others.
The Porro Ward Member of County Assembly seat in Samburu County was declared vacant on January 5, 2026, following the death of the sitting MCA, Patrick Leerte, in late 2025 after a period of illness.
The Endo Ward MCA seat in Elgeyo/Marakwet County fell vacant on January 27, 2026, following the death of MCA Jeremiah Biwott Toryebee.
“Following the declaration of vacancies that occurred in the offices of Member of County Assembly for Porro Ward, Samburu West Constituency, Samburu County on 5th January, 2026; Endo Ward, Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo/Marakwet County on the 27th January, 2026; and Member of National Assembly for Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County on the 10th March, 2026, and notices issued by the respective Speakers, there shall be by-elections in the above-listed electoral areas on Thursday, the 14th May, 2026,” the IEBC statement read in part.