IEBC Announces 2027 General Election Date, Orders Civil Servants Seeking Seats To Resign

Kenya’s next General Election will be conducted on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced, unveiling a detailed roadmap that outlines critical deadlines and activities leading up to the polls.

The timeline was released on Wednesday, June 24. Kenya’s next General Election will be conducted on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced, unveiling a detailed roadmap that outlines critical deadlines and activities leading up to the polls. During the launch of the IEBC Election Operations Plan 2025-2027.

Speaking at the event, IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu, who chairs the Commission’s Election Operations Committee, urged all stakeholders to adhere to the timelines to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.

One of the key directives issued by the Commission concerns public officers aspiring to contest elective positions. According to Nderitu, any public servant seeking to run for office in the 2027 General Election must resign from their positions at least six months before the election date.

“A public officer who intends to contest in the General Election shall resign from public office within six months before the date of the election, being on or before Tuesday, February 9, 2027,” Nderitu stated.

The Commission also announced March 16, 2027, as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers. The lists will be used to verify party members and facilitate the conduct of party primaries ahead of the General Election.

In addition, political parties intending to field candidates will be required to provide the IEBC with details of individuals seeking nomination, as well as the dates and venues where party primaries will be conducted. The information must be submitted by the same March 16 deadline.

Nderitu further directed political parties to conclude their nomination exercises and settle all disputes arising from party primaries by May 9, 2027. She emphasized that internal disagreements should be addressed within the stipulated period to avoid disrupting the electoral calendar.

“A political party intending to present a candidate in the General Election shall conduct its primaries and resolve intra-party disputes on or before Sunday, May 9, 2027,” she announced.

For candidates seeking to contest as independents, the Commission stated that they must formally cease being members of any registered political party by May 9, 2027, which is at least three months before the election date.

“Candidates intending to participate in the election as independent candidates shall not be members of any registered political party by Sunday, May 9, 2027, being at least three months before the election,” the Commission said.

The IEBC also outlined the nomination period for both political party candidates and independent aspirants. According to the electoral calendar, candidates will present their nomination papers between May 29 and June 11, 2027.

Following the nomination process, any disputes arising from the exercise must be filed with the Commission by June 12, 2027. The Commission indicated that such disputes will be heard and determined within ten days of being lodged to avoid delays in the preparation of the ballot.

Meanwhile, the official campaign period for the 2027 General Election will commence on May 29, 2027, and run until August 7, 2027. Campaigns will officially end 48 hours before Kenyans head to the polls, in line with electoral laws that prohibit campaigning immediately before voting.

The unveiling of the Election Operations Plan 2025-2027 marks the beginning of preparations for one of Kenya’s most anticipated political events. The roadmap is expected to guide political parties, candidates, public officers, and other stakeholders as the country gears up for the August 2027 polls.

The General Election will see Kenyans elect six categories of leaders, including the President, Members of Parliament, Governors, Senators, Women Representatives, and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).

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