MOMBASA, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will begin rolling out timelines for upcoming by-elections starting next week, Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has said.
Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday, Ethekon underscored the urgency of restoring full representation in constituencies and wards with vacant seats, noting that electoral delays risk denying citizens their constitutional rights.
“There is no excuse whatsoever why we should not address this matter as quickly as possible, so that we restore the constitutional rights to representation for those citizens in the affected areas,” he stated.
Ethekon said the commission is finalising internal preparations and will release detailed election schedules in phases.
“On this particular matter of by-elections, we will be briefing the country on the details, including the timelines we are looking at,” he said. “That we will do as we proceed forward from next week and in the weeks and months to come.”
The announcement comes amid mounting public and political pressure on the IEBC to expedite the filling of vacant parliamentary and county assembly seats.
Civil society groups and political leaders have raised concerns over the growing number of unrepresented constituents.
The IEBC chair assured the public that the commission remains committed to transparency and timely communication as preparations continue.
