As hours tick away until the 27th November by-elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cemented rules: campaigns must operate strictly between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and must come to an absolute end on Monday, 24th November.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 9, the electoral body informed all political contenders to stay off the official campaign period duration and time as the country prepares for conducting elections in 24 electoral areas across the country.
“Campaigns shall close on Monday, November 24, 2025, which is 48 hours before the by-election date,” said the IEBC. “The campaign period shall run on a daily basis between 7:00am and 6:00pm.”
The official start of the campaign season follows candidate registration in the concerned constituencies. That leaves the aspirants with only 45 days to market themselves to voters and each second will count.
The by-elections will have vacancies filled across various levels of government from ward members to parliamentarians and even a senatorial seat.
Among the county assembly (MCA) wards up for vote are:
Angata Nanyokie (Samburu)
Chemundu (Nandi)
Chewani (Tana River)
Fafi (Garissa)
Kariobangi North (Nairobi)
Kisa East (Kakamega)
Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet)
Mumbuni North (Machakos)
Purko (Kajiado)
Tembelio (Uasin Gishu)
The Baringo senatorial seat too is on the vote, with parliamentary contests to be witnessed in Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Names
Among those cleared to vie alongside high-profile individuals is Boyd Were, son of one-time Kasipul MP Charles Were, who wants to emulate his father in the same constituency.
Also in the race is blunt Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) Secretary-General Seth Panyako, who is now seeking the Malava parliamentary seat. Panyako has made his mark in labor politics but now has his eyes set on national lawmaking.
The IEBC made it clear: the campaigns must be peaceful, lawful, and within scheduled hours. Whether political players will stick to that script remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the trail is heating up and the entire nation is monitoring the ballot boxes on November 27.
