NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ruled out a full review of constituency and ward boundaries before the 2027 General Election, citing tight timelines, legal requirements, and dispute resolution processes that cannot be completed in time.
Acting IEBC Chief Executive Officer Moses Sunkuli told the Senate that reviewing all 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards before the next polls is not feasible within the remaining period.
He said the process requires time for public participation, technical analysis, and resolution of disputes, which makes completion before 2027 impossible.
The commission warned that any boundary delimitation must be finalised at least 12 months before a general election for the changes to take effect, effectively closing the window for implementing new boundaries ahead of the 2027 vote.
The review, which is constitutionally required every eight to 12 years under Article 89, is already overdue.
The last comprehensive delimitation was completed in 2012, meaning the next exercise should have been finalised by March 2024.
However, the process stalled due to the absence of commissioners, legal disputes over census data, and operational constraints.
IEBC officials have also pointed to ongoing court cases challenging the use of the 2019 population census, data that is central to determining population quotas for constituencies and wards.
The litigation has made it difficult for the commission to proceed with substantive boundary adjustments.
The electoral body is instead considering a phased approach that prioritises preparatory work while deferring substantive boundary changes until after the 2027 election.
The commission says attempting a full review now would strain preparations for the polls, including voter registration, procurement, and election logistics.
The IEBC maintains that preserving election preparedness and legal compliance takes priority, with substantive boundary adjustments now likely to be undertaken after the 2027 General Election.