Ballot papers arrive as IEBC plans February 26 by-elections
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The IEBC has gazetted a total of 23 candidates for the four by‑election contests.
Ballot papers and statutory election forms have arrived at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) headquarters ahead of the February 26 by‑elections.
The arrival sets the stage for voting in four electoral areas that have been left vacant following deaths and resignations of previous officeholders.
IEBC’s Deputy Commission Secretary — Support Services Obadiah Keitany, MBS, said the commission is well prepared.
“Polling officials are being trained, all systems are in place, and the Commission is fully prepared to conduct free, fair, transparent, and credible elections,” he told journalists as the materials arrived.
The by‑elections will fill the following seats:
Member of Parliament, Isiolo South Constituency (vacated by the death of the sitting MP).
Members of County Assembly for Muminji and Evurore Wards in Mbeere North (Embu County).
Member of County Assembly for West Kabras Ward in Malava (Kakamega County).
The IEBC has gazetted a total of 23 candidates for the four by‑election contests.
In Isiolo South, three candidates will vie for the parliamentary seat: Isack Abduba (National Economic Development Party), Tubi Mohamed (United Democratic Alliance), and Bina Mohamed Tupi (Jubilee Party).
The contests for the County Assembly wards are more crowded, with several party and independent candidates cleared to run:
Evurore Ward (highest number of voters): including UDA’s Duncan Nyaga, Chama Cha Kazi’s Kenneth Nyaga and Joseph Njeru of People’s Liberation Party, among others.
Muminji Ward: features candidates such as UDA’s Peterson Njeru and Boniface Ngari (Devolution Empowerment Party).
West Kabras Ward: where UDA’s Elphas Kainanga, DCP’s Bramwel Wasike, ODM’s Edward Indimuli, and DAP‑K’s Nivah Musa are among the six candidates.
Evurore Ward has the largest voter register at 26,393, followed by 22,216 voters in Isiolo South, with West Kabras and Muminji wards registering 11,699 and 9,849 voters respectively.
The commission plans to dispatch ballot papers and other election materials to polling stations from Monday, 23rd February 2026, a week before election day, to ensure timely delivery across all precincts.
For political parties and nominees, these by‑elections will be an early barometer of grassroots support ahead of the larger 2027 general election cycle, as voters choose representatives for both national and county legislatures.
