The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially set Tuesday, August 10, 2027, as the date for Kenya’s next General Election and issued timelines for political parties, candidates and public officers seeking elective positions.
In a status update on election preparedness issued on Thursday, August 20, 2026, the commission said the publication of Kenya Gazette Notice No. 13497 marked the commencement of the election period and brought into force the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act.
IEBC said preparations for the election are guided by its Strategic Plan 2024–2029, with the commission pledging to conduct the polls in accordance with the law and principles of independence, accountability, transparency and professionalism.
The commission said a clean and verifiable voters’ register remains central to a credible election.
Since the launch of Continuous Voter Registration on September 29, 2025, eligible Kenyans have been registering, transferring their registration and updating their details.
As of August 20, 2026, a total of 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters. IEBC projects that the register will grow to about 28.5 million voters for the 2027 election, compared with 22.1 million registered voters in 2022.
The commission also said it is expanding voter registration for Kenyans living abroad from 12 to 26 countries.
IEBC said biometric technology will continue to be used to strengthen the integrity of the voters’ register by allowing voters to inspect and verify their biometric information while facilitating the removal of deceased persons and cases of double registration.
The register will also undergo a forensic audit by an independent professional firm before being certified for use in the 2027 election.
Key deadlines
IEBC said public officers intending to contest in the 2027 election must resign from public office by February 10, 2027, exactly six months before Election Day.
Political parties must submit their authorised persons and specimen signatures by October 15, 2026, while their nomination rules must be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30 and submitted to IEBC by November 6.
Political parties will be required to submit their membership lists by March 16, 2027, alongside details of candidates contesting party primaries, including the dates and venues of the nominations.
All party primaries and related intra-party disputes must be concluded by May 8, 2027. Independent candidates must also submit their names and symbols to IEBC by the same date.
Candidate registration will take place between May 29 and June 11, 2027, depending on the position being contested.
The presidential nomination window will run from May 29 to June 11, while National Assembly candidates will be registered between May 29 and June 1. Senate candidates will have until June 2, governors between June 3 and June 6, and Woman Representative and County Assembly candidates will be registered within the dates set by the commission.
IEBC warns against early campaigns
The commission has also warned politicians and their supporters against launching campaigns before the legally prescribed period.
IEBC said the official campaign period will begin upon registration of candidates, but not earlier than May 29, 2027, and will end on August 7, 2027, 48 hours before Election Day.
It warned that campaigning outside the prescribed period, including the display of campaign posters, caravans and billboards, is unlawful.
Political parties and candidates who violate the Electoral Code of Conduct could face sanctions ranging from formal warnings and fines to restrictions on public meetings, demonstrations, marches and campaign activities.
Persistent or serious violations could result in a participant being prohibited from taking part in ongoing or future elections. The commission said cases involving violence, intimidation or gross and systematic violations may be referred to the High Court for further orders.
IEBC also reminded political actors that campaigning in places of worship or during burial ceremonies is prohibited throughout the election period.
The commission said election offences including bribery, violence, intimidation, multiple voting and interference with electoral processes will attract criminal action and called on the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to enforce the law.
Commission prepares for polls
On election financing, IEBC said it gazetted the Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026 and contribution and spending limits for the 2027 election on August 7.
Political parties, candidates, campaign teams and donors will be required to comply with limits and requirements relating to contributions, expenditure, record-keeping, disclosure and reporting.
The commission said it has also advertised positions for the Commission Secretary/CEO and seven directors as part of efforts to ensure it is fully staffed ahead of the polls.
Procurement of election materials is also underway, although procurement of election technology and ballot papers has temporarily been halted following a request for review filed at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
Other strategic and non-strategic procurement processes remain on course and are expected to be completed in time for the election.
IEBC chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon urged political actors and their supporters to maintain peace and restraint as the country approaches the polls.
The commission called on Kenyans to reject misinformation and hate speech, register and verify their voter details, and participate peacefully in the democratic process.
“Let us choose peace over violence, unity over division and issues over personalities,” the commission said, urging stakeholders to ensure the 2027 election demonstrates Kenya’s democratic maturity and resilience.
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