The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced new guidelines regulating campaign hours for the upcoming November 27 by-elections, directing that all political campaigns will strictly run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 9, the electoral agency stated that the campaigns will officially conclude on Monday, November 24, exactly 48 hours before election day. The move, IEBC said, is part of its efforts to ensure fair play, order, and compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct throughout the campaign period.
“Candidates are commencing campaigns upon successful registration by the respective Returning Officers,” read part of the IEBC statement. “The campaigns shall end on Monday, November 24, 2025, being 48 hours before the by-election day. The campaign time shall run daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the campaign period.”
The announcement came as IEBC concluded the registration of candidates in 24 electoral areas where by-elections are slated to take place. The registration officially signaled the start of campaigns, granting aspirants about 45 days to reach out to voters.
The by-elections will fill vacant seats across various political levels, including senatorial, parliamentary, and county assembly positions. Among the vacant MCA seats are Angata Nanyokie (Samburu), Chemundu (Nandi), Chewani (Tana River), Fafi (Garissa), and Kariobangi North (Nairobi City). Others include Kisa East (Kakamega), Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet), Mumbuni North (Machakos), Purko (Kajiado), and Tembelio (Uasin Gishu).
At the parliamentary and senatorial levels, voters will head to the polls to elect representatives in Baringo (Senator), and the Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies.
On Wednesday, October 8, IEBC cleared several high-profile candidates, including Boyd Were, son of former Kasipul MP Charles Were, and Seth Panyako, Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), to vie for the Kasipul and Malava parliamentary seats, respectively.
However, the political atmosphere is already heating up. A rift has emerged within the United Opposition coalition after DAP-K threatened to withdraw from the alliance should Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP fail to withdraw its Malava candidate, Edgar Busiega.
DAP-K accused the DCP of disrespecting coalition agreements, while DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala maintained that the party was determined to make Malava its first parliamentary seat.
As campaigns intensify, IEBC’s latest directive is expected to test candidates’ ability to balance rigorous voter outreach within the limited campaign hours, setting the stage for a tightly contested race across the 24 electoral areas.
