IEBC schedules by-elections in Isiolo, Mbeere North and Kakamega for February 2026
By Kenneth Mwenda, December 20, 2025The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set February 26, 2026, as the date for four by-elections across the country. The announcement was made in a gazette notice issued by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon on December 19, 2025.
The by-elections will cover the Isiolo South parliamentary seat, two Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions in Muminji and Evurore wards in Mbeere North, Embu County, and the West Kabras ward MCA seat in Malava, Kakamega County.
The Isiolo South seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent MP, Mohamed Tubi Bidu (also known as Tubi Bidu Mohamed), on November 12, 2025. Isiolo elders unanimously endorsed Tubi Mohamed Tubi, son of the late Isiolo South MP Tubi Bidu Mohamed, to contest the upcoming by-election.
The Muminji and Evurore ward seats in Embu County fell vacant after their MCAs – Newton Kariuki (Muminji, elected on Devolution Empowerment Party) and Duncan Mbui (Evurore) – resigned to contest the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election in November 2025, which they lost to the incumbent Leo Wa Muthende.
David Ndakwa, the former Member of County Assembly (MCA) for West Kabras Ward in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, resigned from his MCA seat to contest and ultimately won the parliamentary (MP) seat for Malava.
Chairperson Ethekon said the Commission has appointed six Returning and Deputy Returning Officers to manage the by-elections, with two officials assigned to each county. This is part of preparations to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
Political parties intending to participate are required to submit the names of their candidates by January 16, 2026. Independent candidates must submit their names and symbols by January 2. Additionally, political parties must submit the names and specimen signatures of authorised persons by January 13. Independent candidates must not have been members of any political party for at least three months before the by-election.
IEBC sets by-election rules
The Commission also noted that it will publish, in the gazette, the names of candidates contesting in party primaries and the dates of the primaries within seven days of receiving the names. Candidates intending to run as independents are required to comply with the same timeline.
“The Commission shall publish, in the Gazette, the names of the persons contesting in a party primary and the date of the party primary within seven (7) days of receipt of the names of the candidates,” read the notice in part.
Campaigning for the by-elections will run from January 22 until February 23, ending 48 hours before polling day. Electioneering is permitted daily between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm during this period. The Commission emphasised that all candidates must adhere to the campaign rules to ensure fairness.
Public officers planning to contest are required to resign from their positions within seven days of the declaration of the vacancy. Political parties that use indirect nominations must submit the list of nominated candidates to the Commission by January 16.
Any disputes related to nominations must be lodged with the Commission within 24 hours of occurrence, and no later than January 26, 2026.