IEBC 2027: Latest Updates on Kenya’s General Election

Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 General Election have entered a critical phase, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) already implementing key parts of the electoral calendar.

Election date remains August 10, 2027

The IEBC has reaffirmed that the next General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10, 2027. The clarification comes amid a legal dispute over whether the election was constitutionally due in 2026. The High Court ruling declaring an earlier date was suspended until after the 2027 election, and the IEBC says it continues to prepare for the August 10, 2027 polls.

IEBC targets 28.5 million voters

The commission is targeting a voter register of approximately 28.5 million voters for the 2027 election, compared with about 22.1 million registered voters in the 2022 General Election. By August 20, 2026, IEBC said 2,936,516 Kenyans had registered since Continuous Voter Registration began in September 2025.

IEBC says biometric technology will be used to strengthen voter registration and verification, while the register is expected to undergo an independent forensic audit before the election.

Diaspora voting expanded

IEBC has also announced an expansion of voter registration and voting opportunities for Kenyans living abroad, increasing the number of countries covered from 12 to 26 ahead of the 2027 polls.

2027 election period officially begins

The commission published Kenya Gazette Notice No. 13497 on August 20, 2026, formally commencing the 2027 election period. The notice brought the Electoral Code of Conduct and Election Offences Act into force for the election.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has warned political parties and candidates that the electoral timelines are legally binding and must be followed.

Key IEBC deadlines

Some of the major deadlines announced by IEBC include:

• October 15, 2026 – Political parties to submit authorised persons and specimen signatures.
• October 30, 2026 – Parties to have their nomination rules certified by the Registrar of Political Parties.
• March 16, 2027 – Political parties to submit membership lists and details of candidates participating in party primaries.
• May 8, 2027 – Party primaries and related disputes to be concluded.
• May 24, 2027 – Presidential aspirants to submit required supporter details.
• May 29–June 11, 2027 – Candidate registration period, depending on the elective position.
• June 12, 2027 – Deadline for lodging nomination disputes.
• August 10, 2027 – General Election Day.

Public officers intending to contest in the election are required to resign from public office by February 10, 2027, six months before Election Day.

IEBC procurement and technology preparations

IEBC says procurement of several election materials is underway. However, procurement of election technology and ballot papers has temporarily been halted following a request for review filed before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.

The commission is also filling vacant positions and strengthening its staffing ahead of the election.

Campaign financing rules in place

IEBC has gazetted Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026 together with contribution and expenditure limits for the 2027 election. Political parties, candidates, campaign teams and donors will be required to comply with rules on campaign contributions, spending, disclosure and reporting.

What Kenyans should watch next

The major issues to follow as Kenya moves toward 2027 include:

1. Voter registration and verification
2. IEBC procurement of election technology and ballot papers
3. The legal battle over the election date
4. Political party nominations and alliances
5. Campaign financing
6. Diaspora voter registration
7. IEBC’s election technology
8. Election security and peace-building
9. Finalisation and audit of the voters’ register
10. Candidate registration and campaign timelines