With the clock ticking toward the November 27, 2025, by-elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially laid out the ground rules for anyone hoping to contest the 24 vacant seats up for grabs across the country.
From nomination fees to proof of grassroots support, the Commission has outlined a detailed roadmap for all aspiring candidates especially those planning to run as independents.
In a statement issued this week, the IEBC insisted that all candidates have to be citizens of Kenya by birth and must have been citizens of Kenya for no less than 10 years prior to the election.
If one has dual citizenship, there’s a catch: they’ll have to forfeit the second nationality prior to swearing into office.
Nomination Fees: What You’ll Pay Depends on Who You Are
Not all candidates will pay the same amount to get on the ballot. The IEBC has introduced a tiered nomination fee structure, aimed at making the race more inclusive:
County Assembly Seats:
Ksh10,000 for women, youth, and persons with disabilities
Ksh20,000 for all other candidates
National Assembly:
Ksh2,500 for marginalized groups
Ksh5,000 for general candidates
Senate:
Ksh25,000 for marginalized groups
Ksh50,000 for others
Independent Candidates: It’s Not Just About Showing Up
For those not affiliated with political parties, the bar is a bit higher.
Independent candidates will not be able to hold membership of any political party in the three months prior to the by-election. Additionally, they will be required to submit a list of their supporters together with photocopies of their national ID cards to confirm that they have actual support on the ground.
The number of supporters varies by seat:
Senate candidates: 2,000 supporters
National Assembly: 1,000 supporters
MCA (Ward Representative): 500 supporters
All candidates regardless of party or position must also submit a self-declaration form from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to prove they’re in good legal standing.
Where the Vacancies Are
The by-elections will cover 16 ward seats, one Senate seat, and seven National Assembly constituencies. The first batch of ward positions was gazetted on August 8, and includes:
Kariobangi North (Nairobi)
Kisa East (Kakamega)
Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet)
A second batch, gazetted on August 11, will include:
Baringo Senate seat
National Assembly constituencies:
Banissa
Kasipul
Magarini
Malava
Mbeere North
Ugunja
Kabuchai/Chwele Ward (Bungoma County)
Now that the IEBC has become the official rule-maker, the stage is now set for what could turn out to be a highly competitive by-election season. To would-be candidates everywhere, the message is: meet the qualifications, mobilize your base, and prepare to get on the ballot
