Kenya’s race to the 2027 General Election is taking shape, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) setting out a series of critical deadlines that political parties, aspirants and independent candidates will have to meet ahead of the August 10 vote.
The timelines cover party nominations, resignation of public officers seeking elective seats, independent candidates, presidential nomination requirements, campaigns and election agents.
According to IEBC’s Election Operation Plan 2025–2027, the General Election will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, setting in motion a tight political calendar beginning months before campaigns officially open.
One of the first major deadlines will affect public officers seeking elective positions. They will be required to leave office on or before February 9, 2027.
IEBC says a public officer seeking to contest “shall resign from public office within six months before the date of Election.”
The Elections Act similarly requires public officers intending to contest an election to resign at least six months before polling day. The requirement does not apply to some elected State officers specified under the law.
Aspirants will also have to be cautious about participating in public fundraisers as the election approaches.
Under the Elections Act, anyone who directly or indirectly participates in a public fundraising within eight months preceding a General Election risks being disqualified from contesting.
With polling scheduled for August 10, 2027, the restriction kicks in from December 10, 2026.
Political parties will also face a packed nomination calendar.
IEBC’s operational plan provides for certification of party nomination rules by the Registrar of Political Parties between October 31 and November 6, 2026.
Certified rules are then expected to be submitted to IEBC between November 6 and November 12.
By March 16, 2027, political parties will be expected to submit their membership lists to IEBC as well as details of candidates taking part in party primaries, including the dates and venues of the nomination exercises.
IEBC will thereafter publish the list of persons participating in political party nominations. Party primaries are expected to run up to April 10, with intra-party nomination disputes determined by May 9.
May 9 is also a crucial deadline for independent candidates. Anyone seeking to contest outside a political party must have ceased being a member of a registered political party by that date and submit their intended name and election symbol to IEBC.
“Candidates intending to participate in the election as independent candidates shall not be members of any registered political party” by May 9, the Commission says.
The formal candidate nomination and registration period will run from May 29 to June 11, 2027, covering political party and independent candidates across the different elective positions.
Nomination disputes must be lodged with IEBC no later than June 12, with the Commission required to determine disputes within 10 days of their filing.
May 29 will also mark the official start of the campaign period. Campaign activities will be permitted between 7am and 6pm daily and will run until August 7 – 48 hours before polling day.
Political parties and independent candidates will then have until July 27 to submit their national, county, constituency and polling station election agents to IEBC.
The political contest will culminate on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, when Kenyans are scheduled to elect the President, Members of Parliament, governors and members of county assemblies.
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