The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has formally set the machinery in motion for the August 10, 2027 General Election, unveiling a detailed electoral roadmap while warning politicians and their supporters against violence, hate speech, misinformation and premature campaigning.
The commission said the publication of Gazette Notice No. 13497 in the Kenya Gazette on Thursday, August 20, 2026, marks the commencement of the election period and brings into force the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Election Offences Act in preparation for the polls.
The announcement places political parties, aspirants, public officials, campaign teams and other electoral stakeholders under a tighter legal framework as the country begins the long journey to the next General Election.
IEBC chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission was committed to delivering a credible, inclusive and peaceful election anchored on independence, transparency, accountability and professionalism.
“The foundation of a credible election is a clean, accurate and verifiable register of voters,” the chairman said.
The commission is targeting a voter register of approximately 28.5 million voters by the 2027 elections, up from 22.1 million registered voters in 2022.
Since the launch of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on September 29, 2025, IEBC said 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered as voters by August 20, 2026.
The commission is also expanding registration and participation opportunities for Kenyans living abroad, increasing the number of countries where diaspora voter registration is available from 12 to 26.
IEBC said biometric technology would continue to play a central role in strengthening the integrity of the register by allowing voters to verify their biometric details and helping identify multiple registrations and deceased voters.
The final register will also undergo an independent forensic audit before being certified for use in the 2027 election.
IEBC reaffirmed that the General Election will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, when Kenyans will elect the President, governors, senators, members of the National Assembly, women representatives and members of county assemblies.
The commission’s announcement comes against the backdrop of a recent High Court judgment concerning the constitutional timing of the next presidential election.
In the case of *Dr Owiso Owiso, Khelef Khalifa and Ashioya Biko v Attorney General & IEBC*, Malindi High Court Petition No. HCCHRPET/023/2025, Justice Thande interpreted Article 136(2)(a) of the Constitution and held that the fifth year following the August 9, 2022 General Election commenced on August 9, 2026.
The judge consequently held that the presidential election was constitutionally due on August 11, 2026.
However, the court suspended the effect of the decision until the next General Election scheduled for August 10, 2027.
IEBC said the matter remains subject to the applicable appellate and constitutional processes, but maintained that it would continue preparing for the 2027 elections in accordance with its mandate.
The commission has also drawn a clear line for public officers seeking elective positions.
Any public officer intending to contest in the 2027 General Election must resign from public office by February 10, 2027, exactly six months before polling day.
Political parties, meanwhile, face a series of deadlines beginning this year.
They must submit the names of their authorised persons and specimen signatures to IEBC by October 15, 2026*l.
Their nomination rules must be certified by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30 and submitted to IEBC by November 6, 2026.
By March 16, 2027, parties will be required to submit their membership lists as well as the names of candidates participating in party primaries, including the dates and venues of the nominations.
All party primaries and intra-party dispute resolution processes must be completed by May 8, 2027.
Independent candidates must also submit their names and symbols to IEBC by May 8.
Presidential aspirants will be required to submit by May 24 a list containing the names, signatures and identification details of at least 2,000 registered voters from a majority of the counties.
Candidate registration will take place between May 29 and June 11, 2027, depending on the elective position.
Presidential candidates will be registered between May 29 and June 11, National Assembly candidates between May 29 and June 1, senators between May 29 and June 2, governors between June 3 and June 6, women representatives between June 7 and June 11, while ward representatives will undergo registration between June 2 and June 11.
IEBC said disputes arising from the nomination process must be filed within 24 hours of the occurrence and not later than June 12, with all such disputes expected to be resolved by June 23.
The commission has issued one of its strongest warnings yet against premature campaigning.
Campaigns for the 2027 election will officially begin upon registration of candidates, but not before May 29, 2027, and will close on **August 7, 2027, 48 hours before polling day.
This means campaign posters, caravans, billboards and other forms of campaigning outside the prescribed period will be unlawful.
IEBC said it would take action against political parties, candidates and supporters who breach the campaign rules.
The Electoral Code of Conduct, contained in the Second Schedule to the Elections Act, establishes standards of behaviour for political parties, candidates, agents and other participants in the electoral process.
Those found guilty of violating the code may face formal warnings, fines, restrictions on access to public media allocated for electoral purposes, bans on public meetings, demonstrations or marches and restrictions on campaigning in specified areas.
IEBC may also restrict the erection of posters, banners and distribution of campaign materials.
Persistent or serious violations could lead to prohibition from participating in ongoing or future elections.
In cases involving violence, intimidation or gross and systematic violations, the commission may approach the High Court for further orders, including cancellation of the right to participate in the next election.
The Electoral Code Enforcement Committee will become fully operational during the campaign period to deal with violations.
IEBC has further reminded political actors that campaigning in places of worship or during burial ceremonies is prohibited throughout the election period.
The Election Offences Act, 2016 criminalises conduct that threatens the integrity of elections, including bribery, violence, intimidation, multiple voting and interference with electoral processes.
IEBC called on the National Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to enforce the law without fear or favour.
The commission also warned aspirants against using its official logo on campaign materials.
According to IEBC, unauthorised use of the logo could falsely suggest that the commission has endorsed a candidate or campaign, undermining its independence and non-partisan character.
Political actors have been ordered to remove offending materials within five days or face appropriate action.
IEBC said it had reviewed the legal framework governing elections and submitted a package of proposed reforms to Parliament.
The proposals include the Elections Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amendments to the Election Offences Act and proposed changes to the County Governments Act.
The commission has also prepared draft amendments to regulations governing general elections, voter registration, voter education and electoral technology.
Other proposed reforms include new Rules of Procedure for Settlement of Disputes.
The electoral body is also tightening controls over campaign money.
On August 7, 2026, IEBC gazetted the Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026 and contribution and spending limits for the 2027 General Election.
The framework is intended to promote a level playing field and prevent excessive financial resources from distorting political competition.
Political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and other regulated persons will be required to comply with limits on contributions and expenditure, as well as obligations on record-keeping, disclosure, reporting and accountability.
Additional campaign-financing timelines have been published through Gazette Notice No. 13503
IEBC said it was strengthening its institutional capacity ahead of the polls.
During August, the commission advertised the positions of Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and seven directors, while also promoting staff to senior cadres.
It said recruitment and deployment to other vacant positions would continue to ensure the commission is fully staffed before the elections.
Procurement of strategic election materials has also commenced following allocation of the General Election budget in the 2026/27 financial year.
However, procurement of election technology and ballot papers has temporarily stalled following a request for review lodged at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
Procurement of other strategic and non-strategic materials remains on course, with IEBC expressing confidence that the process will be completed in time for the polls.
With the election now firmly on the national agenda, IEBC has appealed to political leaders and voters to avoid the violence and polarisation that have marred previous electoral cycles.
The commission said political differences were an essential part of democracy but insisted that competition must remain within the law.
It urged politicians and their supporters to reject hate speech, misinformation, incitement and personal attacks and instead focus on issues affecting Kenyans.
“Let us choose peace over violence, unity over division and issues over personalities,” IEBC said.
The commission also urged Kenyans to register as voters, verify their details, reject misinformation and exercise their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly.
It said the success of the 2027 election would depend not only on IEBC but also on cooperation among state agencies, political parties, the media, civil society, faith-based organisations, development partners and citizens.
The commission said it would continue providing timely information and engaging stakeholders as it works towards an election that is peaceful, transparent, accountable and conducted in accordance with the law.
With the electoral clock now running, IEBC’s message to Kenya’s political class is clear: the 2027 contest has begun, but the rules governing it are already in force.
