The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has formally commenced the 2027 General Election period, setting out key deadlines and rules that will guide political parties, candidates and other stakeholders ahead of the August 10, 2027 polls. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission published Kenya Gazette Notice No. 13497 on August 20, 2026, bringing the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act into operation for the election period. The commission said the gazettement marks an important stage in preparations for the next General Election and places political actors under the legal framework governing campaigns, nominations, voter registration and electoral conduct.
IEBC Confirms August 10, 2027 Election Date
The IEBC reaffirmed that Kenyans will head to the polls on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, to elect the President, Members of Parliament, Governors, County Woman Representatives and Members of County Assemblies. The commission also acknowledged an ongoing legal debate over the constitutional timing of the election following a Malindi High Court ruling concerning the interpretation of Article 136(2)(a) of the Constitution. Ethekon said the court had suspended the effect of its decision until the next General Election scheduled for August 10, 2027. He added that the matter remains subject to the applicable legal and appellate processes while the IEBC continues preparing for the election.
Voter Registration Targets 28.5 Million
The commission said Continuous Voter Registration, which began on September 29, 2025, is still ongoing. Eligible Kenyans can register as voters, transfer their registration to different areas and update their personal details.
According to the IEBC, 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters by August 20, 2026. The commission expects the final 2027 register to contain approximately 28.5 million voters, compared with 22.1 million registered voters in the 2022 election.
The IEBC is also expanding voter registration for Kenyans living abroad from 12 to 26 countries. The commission said biometric technology will be used to strengthen voter registration and verification while helping identify issues such as duplicate registrations and records of deceased voters. The voter register will also undergo an independent forensic audit before being certified for use during the election.
Public Officers Given February 10 Deadline
Public officers intending to contest for elective positions in the 2027 election have been given until February 10, 2027, to resign from public office. The deadline falls exactly six months before Election Day and applies to public officers seeking to enter the electoral race.
Political Parties Face Key Deadlines
The IEBC has established several deadlines for political parties as they prepare for their nomination exercises. Parties must submit details of their authorised officials and specimen signatures to the commission by October 15, 2026. Their nomination rules must be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30, with the certified rules submitted to the IEBC by November 6.
Political parties will be required to submit their membership lists by March 16, 2027. On the same date, they must provide details of candidates seeking to participate in their respective party primaries. All party primaries and disputes arising from the exercises must be completed by May 8, 2027. Independent candidates will also be required to meet the May 8 deadline and demonstrate that they are not members of registered political parties.
Candidate Registration to Begin in May
The commission has scheduled candidate registration between May 29 and June 11, 2027, depending on the elective position. Presidential candidates will be registered between May 29 and June 11, while National Assembly candidates will be registered from May 29 to June 1.
Senatorial candidates will be registered between May 29 and June 2, Governors from June 3 to June 6, and County Assembly candidates from June 2 to June 11. County Woman Representative candidates will be registered between June 7 and June 11. Presidential aspirants will also be required to submit the names, signatures and identification details of at least 2,000 registered voters from a majority of Kenya’s counties by May 24, 2027.
IEBC Warns Against Early Campaigns
The commission has warned political parties and aspirants against conducting campaigns outside the legally prescribed period. Campaigning will only be allowed after a candidate has been formally registered and not before May 29, 2027. The campaign period will end on August 7, 2027, three days before Election Day. The IEBC said activities such as campaign caravans, posters, billboards and other forms of campaigning conducted outside the permitted period could amount to violations of electoral law.
Tough Sanctions for Electoral Code Violations
With the Electoral Code of Conduct now in force, political parties, candidates, agents and other participants are required to comply with its provisions. The IEBC can impose several sanctions for violations, including warnings, fines, restrictions on the use of public media and bans on public meetings or political demonstrations.
Serious or repeated violations could result in restrictions on a candidate’s participation in an election. The commission may also seek intervention from the High Court in cases involving violence, intimidation or serious and systematic violations of the Electoral Code. Political actors have also been reminded that campaigning in places of worship or during burial ceremonies is prohibited throughout the election period.
Election Offences Act Comes Into Force
The Election Offences Act, 2016 has also been activated for the election period. The law criminalises offences including bribery, violence, intimidation, multiple voting and interference with electoral processes. The IEBC has called on the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to enforce the law and ensure those who violate electoral regulations are held accountable.
IEBC Warns Against Misuse of Its Logo
The commission has also raised concerns over the unauthorised use of its logo on campaign materials. Ethekon said political actors using the IEBC logo could wrongly create the impression that the commission supports particular candidates or political parties. The IEBC has ordered those responsible to remove such materials within five days, warning that failure to comply could result in action under the law.
Campaign Financing Rules in Place
The commission said campaign financing for the 2027 election will be governed by the Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026. The regulations and contribution and spending limits for the election were gazetted on August 7, 2026.
Political parties, candidates, donors and campaign teams will be required to comply with rules covering campaign contributions, expenditure, financial records, disclosures and reporting. The IEBC said the regulations are intended to promote fairness and prevent excessive financial influence from distorting political competition.
IEBC Steps Up Election Preparations
The commission said it has also begun strengthening its workforce and administrative capacity ahead of the polls. It has advertised several senior positions, including that of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, alongside seven director-level positions.
The IEBC is also recruiting and promoting staff while preparing to procure election materials. However, the commission said procurement of election technology and ballot papers had temporarily stalled following a request for review filed before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board. Other election-related procurement processes, it said, are progressing and are expected to be completed in time for the polls.
IEBC Calls for Peaceful Elections
As Kenya enters the formal election period, the IEBC has urged political leaders, candidates, supporters and the public to respect electoral laws and maintain peace. Ethekon encouraged political actors to focus on policies and issues rather than personalities and warned against violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement. The commission also urged eligible Kenyans to register as voters, verify their details and participate responsibly in the electoral process.
