The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has received the first batch of ballot papers and statutory forms for the upcoming by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 2025, that 10 pallets of materials had arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The Commission expects the remaining 29 pallets to arrive later on Thursday at 7:30 pm. Distribution of all election materials to constituency tallying centres will begin on Friday, November 21.

Speaking at the airport, Ethekon said the Commission has made all necessary preparations to ensure the by-elections run smoothly.

“We’ve made all the preparations, adequate preparations, to ensure that these by-elections, which is the first to be conducted by this new IEBC, to ensure that these by-elections go very well and we complete them successfully, on the 27th of this month,” he said.

“We’ve already trained our personnel, we’ve recruited them, we’ve trained them, and now we’ve procured the materials. And as you can see, the ballot papers have arrived, which is a very important component of our elections.”

Ballot papers arrive abroad

The Commission has invited all 51 participating political parties to witness the arrival of the ballot papers to maintain transparency. The materials were printed in Athens, Greece, by Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA at a cost of Ksh27 million. The firm was contracted previously on a framework basis to print materials for the 2022 general elections.

Ethekon has in the past expressed disappointment that the ballots cannot be printed locally, despite some Kenyan firms having the capacity to handle secure printing. He cited a lack of trust as the main reason for relying on foreign printers.

The November 27 by-elections will fill multiple vacant seats across the country.

These include the Baringo Senate seat, National Assembly seats in Banisa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja, and Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats in various wards across Samburu, Nandi, Tana River, Garissa, Nairobi City, Kakamega, Elgeyo Marakwet, Machakos, Narok, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Nyamira, and Turkana counties.

Ballot papers and other materials for remote and high-risk areas, including Banisa and Mandera, will be transported by air. Other areas will receive their materials via road transport under security escort.

Ethekon assured Kenyans that all materials are properly sealed and will be accompanied by IEBC staff and security personnel throughout the distribution process.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections. The by-elections are the first to be held under the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission personnel and systems.