The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has administered the Oath of Secrecy of the Ballot to returning officers and other staff who will conduct by-elections scheduled for February 26, 2026.

The Oath of Secrecy of the Ballot is a legal requirement administered to electoral officials to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the electoral process.

In a statement posted on its X account on Saturday, January 17, 2026, IEBC said the oath-taking ceremony was conducted at the end of a joint national planning meeting in Naivasha.

“The @IEBCKenya Director of Legal Services, Chrispine Owiye, today oversaw the administration of Oath of Secrecy of the Ballot to gazetted Returning Officers and other IEBC staff at the end of a joint National Planning meeting in Naivasha,” the commission stated.

Four vacant positions

According to IEBC, the officers will be involved in conducting by-elections for four vacant positions across the country.

The by-elections will fill one parliamentary seat in Isiolo South and three County Assembly Ward (CAW) seats in Kakamega and Embu counties.

The IEBC confirmed that the oath-taking was part of the preparations to ensure that all election officers are properly ready for the conduct of the polls.

“The Officers will be involved in the conduct of 26th February 2026 by-elections for the vacant positions of Member of National Assembly Isiolo South Constituency; County Assembly Ward (CAW) in West Kabras in Malava Constituency, Evurore and Muminji in Mbeere Constituency,” the commission said.

Campaign period and key dates

IEBC also outlined the official campaign period and important deadlines for the by-elections.

“The Official campaign period runs from the day of registration of candidates on 22nd January 2026 and ceases on 23rd February 2026, being 48 hours before the by-election day between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm,” the commission stated.

The electoral body directed political parties and candidates to submit their agents’ details well in advance of the voting day.

“Political parties and candidates are to appoint and submit the names of their agents 14 days before the date of the by-elections to facilitate the processing of their details and training,” IEBC said.

By- elections preparedness

This comes a day after IEBC held a joint national planning meeting to strategise on the conduct of the by-elections.

The January 16, 2026, workshop addressed issues including data protection, HR resourcing and security, voter register integrity, training frameworks, candidate registration, stakeholder engagement, oath administration, and overall coordination.

“I have no doubt on the competency of IEBC staff to deliver free, fair and credible elections. The Commission will support the staff to conduct a successful electoral process,” Commissioner Marykaren Sorobit said.

“The IEBC team on the ground is professional and has done an excellent job. Let our focus be on delivering a credible election in Isiolo South Constituency, West Kabras, Evurore and Muminji wards,” Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan added.