KITUI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set Tuesday, November 17, 2026, as the date for the Migwani Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) by-election in Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County.
The commission announced the date in a Kenya Gazette notice published on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, following the declaration of a vacancy in the ward’s MCA seat.
The by-election will fill the position for the remainder of the current county assembly term and will not form part of the 2027 General Election.
How Migwani Ward Seat Fell Vacant
The vacancy arose after former Migwani MCA Harrison Maluki Mawia was appointed Clerk of the Kitui County Assembly.
Mawia had represented Migwani Ward since the 2022 General Election and had also served as the assembly’s Majority Leader.
The Kitui County Assembly approved his appointment as Clerk on August 5, and he was sworn into office the following day.
His appointment was subsequently published in the Kenya Gazette, with the new position taking effect on August 6, 2026.
Kitui County Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya formally declared the Migwani Ward MCA seat vacant on August 6 and notified the IEBC, paving the way for the by-election.
MCA and Clerk Hold Different Roles
Mawia’s move from the elected MCA position to the Clerk’s office created the vacancy because the two positions carry different responsibilities.
An MCA is an elected ward representative responsible for participating in county legislation, oversight, and approval of county plans and budgets.
The County Assembly Clerk, on the other hand, is the assembly’s chief administrative and procedural officer and provides legislative and institutional support to the assembly.
The appointment therefore left Migwani Ward without an elected representative, requiring the IEBC to organise a by-election.
Parties Given September 30 Deadline
Political parties intending to participate in the by-election must submit the names of candidates who will take part in their party primaries, together with the dates of the primaries, by Wednesday, September 30.
Independent candidates must also submit their names and symbols to the IEBC by the same date.
Newly fully registered political parties participating in the process are required to submit certified membership lists and nomination rules.
The requirements form part of the timetable issued by the electoral commission for the Migwani Ward poll.
Nomination Set for October 21 and 22
The IEBC has scheduled candidate nomination for Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22.
Candidates will submit their nomination papers during two daily windows:
- 8am to 1pm
- 2pm to 4pm
The campaign period will run from October 21 to November 14, 2026.
Campaign activities will be permitted between 7am and 6pm during the campaign period.
Political parties and candidates must also submit the names of their constituency and polling-station agents to the IEBC by Tuesday, November 3.
