IEBC Releases 2027 Election Calendar as Campaigns Gather Pace

IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon Addressing the Press

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has released the official timetable for Kenya’s 2027 General Election, setting August 10, 2027, as the polling date.

The commission will conduct the election using the existing 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards.

IEBC Retains Current Electoral Boundaries

IEBC published the timelines in a Kenya Gazette Special Issue on Thursday, August 20.

The gazette confirms that voters will elect the President, governors, senators, National Assembly members, county women representatives and MCAs.

The commission retained the current boundaries after failing to complete a comprehensive review before the election.

IEBC cited limited time, ongoing court cases involving census data and other preparations as factors that affected the review process.

Parties Receive Election Deadlines

Political parties now have several deadlines to meet ahead of the polls.

They must submit the names of authorised officials to IEBC by October 15, 2026. Parties must also submit certified nomination rules by November 6.

The Registrar of Political Parties will certify membership lists by March 23, 2027, before parties submit them to IEBC by April 12.

Primaries Must End by May 8

Parties must publish details of their primary elections by April 8, including the aspirants, venues and dates.

IEBC will gazette the contestants by April 16, while parties must complete their primaries and internal dispute resolution by May 8.

Independent candidates who want to contest the election must also leave their political parties by the May 8 deadline.

Public Officers Face Early Exit

Public officers seeking elective positions must resign by February 10, 2027.

Presidential aspirants will also need signatures from at least 2,000 registered voters drawn from a majority of counties by May 24.

The IEBC nomination period will run from May 29 to June 11, with specific dates depending on the position.

Campaigns End on August 7

Campaign activities will begin on different dates depending on the elective position and must end on August 7.

IEBC will restrict campaign activities to between 7am and 6pm.

Aspirants will also face a fundraising ban from December 9, 2026, meaning political harambees will not be allowed after that date.

Parties must submit their party lists by June 25, 2027, and name their chief election agents by July 27.

With the calendar now public, political parties and aspirants have clear deadlines to prepare for the August 10, 2027 polls.