The referee has blown the whistle, signalling the start of a meticulous process that will culminate in the general election next August.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) – charged with the responsibility of delivering credible and verifiable elections at all levels – has spelt out key and strict timelines leading up to the day when Kenyans will vote. In an elaborate Election Operation Plan 2025-27 launched in May and which forms the operational blueprint that will guide the commission’s preparations for the general election, each step takes the country closer to what has been billed as one of the most anticipated polls.

Decision 2027 — Photo credit: Nation Media Group

President William Ruto is facing stiff competition from opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who served in the current administration for two years. The united opposition is determined to make Dr Ruto a one-term president, but the Head of State has vowed to “crush my competitors” at the ballot, warning during a recent rally in Western that he had not even started campaigning. Today, the IEBC is expected to gazette the limit for expenditure, contributions and donations. Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution mandates the commission to regulate expenditure by or on behalf of a candidate or political party during an election.

While launching the expenditure limit last month, the commission said the main aim was to ensure electoral outcomes are determined by the free will of the voters rather than the disproportionate influence of financial resources. “The objective is not to constrain political participation but to strike an appropriate balance between facilitating meaningful campaigns and safeguarding the integrity, equity and credibility of the electoral process.”

In the proposals, the electoral agency has proposed a Sh4.44 billion campaign spending limit for presidential candidates. Also contained is that governor, senator and woman representative candidates in far-flung counties such as Turkana will be allowed to spend the highest amounts, capped at Sh123 million.

However, candidates vying for similar positions in Nairobi will have a spending limit of up to Sh117.3 million, while those in Marsabit and Wajir will be allowed up to Sh114 million and Sh113.8 million respectively.

According to the timelines released by the commission, a public officer who intends to contest in the 2027 General Election has until February 9 to resign. This is six months before the election date. The commission has also tasked political parties to submit membership lists to it on or before March 16. Political parties intending to present candidates have until March 16 to submit the names of persons contesting in their nominations, the date and venues for such events. The timelines provided also indicate that candidates intending to participate in the general election as independents have until May 9 to submit their names and symbols that they intend to use.

Independent candidates

The commission has also given candidates intending to participate in the election as independents until May 9 to resign from their political parties or not to belong to any by then. This is in line with the law stipulating that such persons shall not be members of any registered political party at least three months before the general election. All the political parties that intend to present a candidate in the general election have until May 9 to conduct all their nominations and resolve ensuing disputes. According to the timelines, individuals not happy with how their parties have handled nomination disputes have until June 12 to lodge their complaints with the commission for determination within 10 days.

Participating political parties and independent candidates shall appoint and submit to the commission the name of national, county, constituency election agent and polling station agent on or before July 27. According to the IEBC, the official campaign period for the general election shall start in May and proceed until August 7—48 hours before election day. However, politicians are already campaigning, with one year to go.

To bring more young voters aboard, the commission intends to conduct another mass registration next January—an exercise that will run for 30 days from January 11 to February 9. The electoral agency is then expected to embark on an audit of the voter register by a reputable firm from February 15 to March 16. With availability of a clean register and engagement of all stakeholders on technology, agents and political parties, the commission will proceed with the polls on August 10.

According to the law, the IEBC has seven days to declare the presidential results. If there will be a clear winner in the first round, then by August 17, the official winner will be known. Article 141 (2) of the Constitution on Assumption of Office of President provides that the president-elect be sworn in on the first Tuesday following the 14th day after the date of the declaration of the result of the presidential election, if no petition has been filed at the Supreme Court.

But if the results are contested, the swearing-in will happen on the seventh day following the date on which the Supreme Court renders a decision declaring the election to be valid. This is according to Article 141 (2) (b). Any person dissatisfied with the declaration of the president-elect has seven days to file a petition at the Supreme Court. This means that the deadline for filing a petition against the presidential election results announced will be August 17.

According to Article 140(2) of the Constitution, the Supreme Court is supposed to determine the petition within 14 days from the date of filing, and its decision shall be final. This means the presidential election petition, if any, is filed, shall be heard and determined by September 7, paving the way for the swearing-in of a new or re-elected president. The Supreme Court (Presidential Election Petition) Rules 2017 state that the petitioner should serve the respondents, who usually include the IEBC, the president-elect and the deputy president-elect, within one day from the time of filing the petition.

The Constitution provides that if the Supreme Court determines the election of the president-elect to be invalid, as was the case in 2017 when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election was nullified, a fresh election will be held within 60 days.

The law also provides that in the event that both the persons declared as president and deputy president die before assuming office, the Speaker of the National Assembly will act as president until a fresh presidential election is held within 60 days.

In an earlier interview with the Nation, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon pointed out that successful delivery of the 2027 General Election should not be left to the commission alone, calling on all stakeholders to play their role. He said its successful delivery will require coordinated action and synergy among key institutions.

“We call upon Parliament to provide timely legislative support and oversight necessary to strengthen the electoral framework. We urge the National Treasury to ensure adequate and timely resourcing of the electoral processes. We call upon security agencies to guarantee a secure and peaceful environment before, during, and after the elections,” Mr Ethekon said.

Read: Big money, weak oversight: The problem with Kenya’s campaign cash laws

Mr Ethekon pointed out that effective management of the 2027 General Election is anchored on key factors such as operations and logistics, legislative provisions, electoral technology and cybersecurity, finance, security and political dynamics, social and cultural and environmental issues.

The commission has warned that delayed legislation by Parliament may cause ambiguity in operational procedures.

The commission has also warned that delay in the acquisition of election technology may hinder timely deployment and testing for cybersecurity threats and insufficient network connectivity coverage.

Read: IEBC: This is how we'll deal with goons next year

The chairman pointed out that going into 2027, a culture of goonism which has featured prominently in recent political events will require stronger intelligence gathering, early identification of these groups, tighter control of access to polling and tallying centres, and the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for violence, intimidation or disruption.

In its assessment of the recent Ol Kalou by-elections, the commission pointed out that organised groups of goons, deployed in ways that threatened voters and election officials, were the major threats it grappled with during the mini-polls.

The by-election was conducted in a highly competitive and politically charged environment characterised by allegations of voter bribery, misuse of public resources, intimidation and isolated security incidents.

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smundu@ke.nationmedia.com