IEBC to conduct voter update ahead of 23 pending by-elections
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced plans to update the voter register in preparation for the 23 by-elections expected to take place across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, July 19, 2025, the newly appointed IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the Commission is now prioritising the long-overdue by-elections following years of inactivity.
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“This is a priority matter. As you have noticed, two years plus have already passed. Constituencies like Banisa in North Eastern have gone almost three years without an MP,” he said.
He revealed that the by-elections include one Senate seat, six parliamentary seats, and 16 Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions.
“At least 23 by-elections are pending across the country, including one for the Senate, six parliamentary seats, and 16 MCA positions,” Ethekon stated.
Under Kenyan law, parliamentary by-elections are supposed to be held within 90 days of a seat being declared vacant. However, this has not happened due to the leadership vacuum that had paralysed IEBC operations until its recent reconstitution.
Anticipated by-elections
Among the most anticipated by-elections is that of Kasipul Constituency, where a by-election was triggered by the tragic death of sitting MP Charles Were, who was assassinated in Nairobi on May 1, 2025. The case surrounding his murder is still under active investigation.
In Mandera County’s Banisa Constituency, the seat has been vacant since March 25, 2023, when MP Kulow Maalim Hassan died in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in Nairobi. The vacancy was officially declared on April 21, 2023, but the IEBC was unable to conduct a by-election due to the absence of commissioners to manage the process.
In Magarini Constituency, Kilifi County, the Supreme Court nullified the election of MP Harrison Kombe, citing serious electoral irregularities, including ballot stuffing and manipulation of results. The court ordered a fresh election to be conducted by the IEBC.
Another by-election is set to take place in Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, following the death of MP Malulu Injendi.
