NAIVASHA, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is preparing to conduct 24 by-elections on November 27, 2025, in what Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has described as a defining test of the commission’s credibility.
Speaking on Thursday at Sawela Lodges in Naivasha, where returning officers and staff are undergoing training, Ethekon said the mini-polls would be the first real measure of how the electoral body operates under his stewardship.
“As IEBC plans for these by-elections, know that the expectations are high, scrutiny will be intense, and you should rise to the occasion,” he told staff. “The country is anxious and keen to evaluate the kind of commission in place under my leadership.”
The by-elections will fill one senatorial seat, six parliamentary positions, and 17 county assembly vacancies.
Ethekon stressed the need for collaboration within the secretariat, saying leadership must be “mutual and collective.” He added: “I believe in this staff and will work with them to deliver the sovereign will of Kenyans. I expect collegiality, mutual respect and collective responsibility from all of us.”
Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan underscored the stakes, noting that success in the by-elections would shape perceptions of IEBC ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“For voters, it is a democratic right; for the Commission, it provides a platform to prove its credibility and dependability,” Marjan said. “Priorities are clear—logistic readiness, staff training, effective stakeholder engagement, security coordination, and accurate results management.”
Commissioner Marykaren Sorobit called for meticulous planning, urging staff to perfect systems as the country heads into a high-stakes electoral period.
But even as the commission projects readiness, funding remains a major hurdle. IEBC faces a Sh1 billion shortfall, with Sh788 million allocated for 16 of the by-elections, leaving a Sh258 million gap for the remaining contests.
“I hope Treasury will unlock that very quickly because the timelines are sensitive,” Ethekon said.
Beyond the mini-polls, the electoral body will roll out Continuous Voter Registration on September 29, targeting 6.3 million new voters.
It will also release guidelines for independent candidates ahead of the November elections.
Ethekon, who has repeatedly promised credible, transparent and peaceful polls in 2027, said the by-elections would serve as a dress rehearsal.
“This is an opportunity to show we are not only ready for the 24 by-elections in November but also the 2027 General Election,” he noted.
