With only hours remaining before the Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has concluded preparations across all polling stations, assuring voters of a peaceful, free and credible exercise even as security agencies warn against any attempts to disrupt the polls.

According to the IEBC, the by-election will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

The commission said all election materials had been distributed to the 94 polling stations within the constituency, which has about 44,000 registered voters.

The race features five candidates vying for the parliamentary seat, which fell vacant following the death of the area Member of Parliament.

The late MP Johana Ng’eno’s sudden death in February 2026 led to the by-election, which not only created a leadership gap but also disrupted a carefully constructed political network in the constituency.

Security tighten ahead of the polls

Security agencies, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, held a meeting to strategise on deployment plans during the voting exercise, with Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan assuring residents that adequate security measures had been put in place.

“Ninawasihi wananchi wote wapige kura kwa amani na wasiwe na wasiwasi kwa sababu security yao na security ya uchaguzi iko kamili,” Hassan said.

He warned that any individuals attempting to disrupt the election process would face stern action from security officers.

Abdi further directed voters to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots to allow election officials to conduct the exercise smoothly.

“And we shall be very ruthless with anyone who attempts in any way to interfere with the elections. Security agents are under very firm instructions to deal with any deviation,” Abdi said.

“Wakishapiga kura yao tunawahimiza tafadhali waende manyumbani kwa utaratibu na wawache wale wasimamizi wa uchaguzi waendeshe shughuli zao,” the official added.

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.