The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that it is concluding the registration of candidates for upcoming by-elections
In a statement on Thursday, October 9, IEBC said the exercise is being carried out across 24 electoral areas where by-elections are set to take place in November.
The electoral body explained that the registration process ensures that all nominated individuals meet the legal requirements to contest.
“IEBC is today (9th October 2025) finalizing registration of candidates in the 24 electoral areas with by-elections scheduled for 27th November 2025.
“The process entails subjecting the nominees to a checklist drawn from legal requirements stipulating qualifications and disqualification for each elective position,” the statement read.
At the same time, IEBC also issued guidelines to aspirants on the campaign period and conduct ahead of the polls.
The commission clarified that only candidates who successfully pass the verification and registration exercise will be allowed to proceed with campaigns.
It reminded aspirants that campaigns are governed by specific timelines and must be conducted within the stipulated hours.
“Candidates are commencing campaigns upon successful registration by the respective Returning Officers. The campaigns shall end on Monday 24th November 2025, being 48 hours before the by-election day.
“The campaign time shall run daily from 7.00a.m. to 6.00p.m. during the campaign period,” the statement added.
Elsewhere, four parliamentary seat candidates were on Wednesday, October 8, cleared by the IEBC to contest in the by-elections.
In Embu County, Newton Karish has been cleared by the IEBC to vie for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat under the Democratic Party (DP).
He was accompanied to the IEBC offices for clearance by party leader Justin Muturi, who lauded Karish’s candidature as a transformative step for the region.
“This morning, I joined Hon. Newton Karish as he presented his nomination papers to the IEBC, officially locking in his name on the ballot under the Democratic Party.
“This is not just another candidacy, it’s a movement. The people of Mbeere North are done with brokers and briefcase leaders. They want action, integrity, and truth in leadership, and Karish embodies exactly that. The wind of change is blowing, and it’s unstoppable,” he stated.
In Homa Bay County, Boyd Were, the son of the late MP Ong’ondo Were, was also cleared by the IEBC to contest in the Kasipul Constituency by-election on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
In a statement, ODM noted that he was accompanied for his clearance by the party’s top leadership including governors Abdulswamad Nassir, Ahmed Abdullahi and Gladys Wanga.
“Boyd Were was this morning cleared by the IEBC Returning Officer to vie for the Kasipul Constituency by-election on November 27. He was accompanied by top party officials Abdulswamad Nassir, Gladys Wanga, Godfrey Osotso, Edwin Sifuna and Ahmed Abdullahi,” ODM said.
In Kakamega County, Seth Panyako has been cleared by the IEBC to run for the Malava parliamentary seat under the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
The party expressed confidence in Panyako’s popularity and support in the region.
“Malava Parliamentary by election front runner Hon. Seth Kuka Panyako becomes the first candidate to be cleared by IEBC. Thanks to the People of Malava who turned up in large numbers led by their Senator Boni Khalwale, DAP-K leadership led by Eugene Wamalwa,” DAP-K stated.
Meanwhile, in Kilifi County, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Stanley Karisa Kenga has also been officially cleared by the IEBC to contest in the Magarini by-election.
