Alex Mwakideu questions why IEBC is setting campaign dates when politicians are already campaigning
By Paulette Mboga, September 15, 2026Radio host Alex Mwakideu has questioned the decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to set May 29, 2027, as the official start of campaigns, arguing that politicians have already been campaigning ahead of the General Election.
Mwakideu raised the issue after IEBC published its political calendar and outlined timelines for the August 10, 2027 General Election.
“Kwa hivyo, hatujakuwa kwenye kampeni huu muda wote? Sometimes I wonder, sometimes …yaani kuna muda mimi huka chini nikajiuliza, maswali mengi sana. Sometimes I just wonder kama sote kweli ni wakenya na kama sote tuko hii kenya,” Alex Mwakideu said on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The IEBC roadmap states that the official campaign period will begin on May 29, 2027 and run until August 7, 2027.
His remarks centred on the fact that the dates come after months of political activity by politicians, which he contrasted with the commission’s position on when campaigns officially begin now.
Mwakideu questions IEBC campaign timeline
“Jana IEBC wakatoa rotuba yao, gazette now, officially. This is how things are going to happen as we head towards the general elections in 2027,” Mwakideu said.
According to the calendar, campaigns conducted before May 29, 2027 will be against the law. The official campaign period will end on August 7, three days before the August 10 election, in line with the requirement that campaigns stop 48 hours before election day.
“One of the things that wanasema IEBC na chairman wake, ni kwamba muda rasmmi wa campaign utaanza tarehe ishirini na tisa mwezi wa May mwaka ujao. (Laughing). Na akasisitiza kuwa muda huo utaendelea mpaka mwezi wa nane tarehe saba,” Mwakideu said.
IEBC has also set March 16, 2027 as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership lists and details of aspirants seeking nomination through party primaries. Parties must also provide information on the dates and venues of the nominations.
The commission set May 9, 2027 as the deadline for parties to conclude their primaries and resolve all intra-party disputes.
“Na wakasema campaign zozote zitakazo fanyika kabla ya May 29 ni kinyume na sheria. (Laughing). Chairman wa IEBC anajua ni kitu gani kinaendelea nchini saa hii?” Mwakideu said.