NAIROBI, Kenya — Public officers intending to contest in Kenya’s August 10, 2027 General Election must resign from office by February 10, 2027, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced.
The deadline, which falls exactly six months before Election Day, is among a series of electoral timelines issued by the commission as preparations for the 2027 polls formally get underway.
The IEBC said compliance with the timelines is mandatory, describing them as legally binding requirements aimed at ensuring an orderly and credible electoral process.
“Any public officer who intends to contest in this election must resign from public office by Wednesday, 10th February 2027, which is exactly six months before the election,” the commission said.
The requirement will affect public officers seeking elective positions at the national and county levels, including those planning to contest for Parliament, governor and other elective offices.
Political parties face early deadlines
The IEBC has also set deadlines for political parties as they prepare for nominations and the election.
Parties must submit details of their authorised persons 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, before being submitted to the IEBC by November 6, 2026.
By March 16, 2027, political parties will be required to submit their membership lists, together with details of candidates participating in party primaries, including the dates and venues of the nominations.
All party primaries and disputes arising from the intra-party nomination process must be concluded by May 8, 2027.
Independent candidates will also be required to submit their names and symbols to the IEBC by May 8.
Presidential candidates face voter endorsement requirement
Presidential aspirants will have until May 24, 2027, to submit the names, signatures and identification details of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of Kenya’s counties.
Candidate registration will then take place between May 29 and June 11, depending on the elective position.
The IEBC said the campaign period will begin once a candidate has been formally registered, but not before May 29.
Campaigning will close on August 7, 2027, 48 hours before Kenyans go to the polls.
“The law prescribes when election campaigns may commence. For the 2027 General Election, the campaign period shall commence upon registration of a candidate by the Commission, but not earlier than 29th May 2027, and shall end on 7th August 2027, 48 hours before Election Day,” the IEBC said.
The commission warned candidates, parties and their supporters against starting campaigns outside the legally prescribed period.
It specifically identified activities such as campaign posters, caravans, billboards and other forms of political campaigning as subject to the restrictions.
IEBC warns against violations
The commission said it would take appropriate action against individuals and political parties that violate electoral laws and regulations.
The timelines are expected to shape preparations for the 2027 election, particularly for public officials who intend to transition from government positions into electoral politics.
The resignation deadline also gives prospective candidates several months to make decisions on whether to leave public office and pursue elective positions.
With the election scheduled for August 10, 2027, the IEBC has urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to familiarise themselves with the legal requirements and comply with the deadlines.
