NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has retained the six ballot paper colours used in previous elections for the 2027 General Election, meaning voters will continue using the same colour system to identify the different elective positions.
Images obtained on August 12 showed that there will be no changes to the colours assigned to the six elective positions, allowing voters familiar with the system to use the same identification pattern at polling stations.
The Presidential ballot will remain white, while the Governor’s ballot will retain its sky-blue colour.
The Senator’s ballot will remain yellow, while the Woman Representative’s ballot will continue to be purple.
The Member of the National Assembly (MP) ballot will remain green, while the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) ballot will retain its beige or brown colour.
The colours correspond with the ballot box lids used for each elective position, creating a visual system intended to help voters place their ballots in the correct boxes.
Six-colour system introduced after 2010 Constitution
The six-colour arrangement was introduced following the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, which created additional elective positions under Kenya’s devolved system of government.
The new constitutional framework established the positions of governor, senator and county woman representative alongside the existing presidential, parliamentary and civic representation structures.
The colour system was subsequently used during the 2013, 2017 and 2022 General Elections, providing consistency for voters across successive electoral cycles.
Before the 2010 constitutional changes, Kenya had fewer elective positions and therefore used fewer ballot colours.
During the 2007 General Election, the then Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) used three main ballot colours. The presidential ballot was white or off-white, the parliamentary ballot was green, while the civic ballot used for councillors was blue.
The positions of governor, senator and woman representative did not exist under that electoral system.
Measures for voters with disabilities
The colour-based system is not intended to be the sole mechanism for helping voters identify their ballots, particularly persons with visual impairments.
Assistive voting mechanisms are being developed to facilitate independent and accessible participation by persons with disabilities.
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) Act, 2025 provides a legal framework for strengthening accessibility and participation in electoral and other public processes.
Among the mechanisms being rolled out are tactile voting devices and cardboard overlays featuring raised numbers and Braille identifiers to help visually impaired voters identify and mark their preferred candidates.
The measures are intended to complement assistance provided by trained polling officials while safeguarding the secrecy and independence of the vote.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the retention of the familiar six-colour system means voters will not have to adjust to a new ballot identification arrangement when they head to polling stations.
