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How elections work in Kenya

Every five years, Kenyans choose the people who will make laws, run county governments and lead the country. This guide explains, in plain language, when the election happens, who runs it, what you vote for, and how winners are decided.

When is the election?

The Constitution fixes the date: general elections are held on the second Tuesday of August in every fifth year (Articles 101, 136, 177 and 180). The date is not chosen by the President. The IEBC's operations plan sets the next general election for 10 August 2027.

About the date

In August 2026, the High Court in Malindi ruled that the Constitution's wording means the next presidential election should have been held on 11 August 2026, counting from the 2022 election. The judge suspended the effect of that finding until after the next general election and did not order an earlier vote.

On 20 August 2026, the IEBC published Kenya Gazette Notice No. 13497, which starts the election period for the 10 August 2027 polls and sets the full timetable. See the key dates.

Court decisions can be appealed and can change. We will update this page if the date or the timetable changes.

Who runs the election?

The IEBC is an independent commission set up by the Constitution. It registers voters, clears candidates, runs polling day, counts and announces results, and reviews constituency and ward boundaries. It is separate from the government of the day and from political parties.

The six votes you cast

In 2022, each voter received six ballot papers. You mark each one separately, in secret.

That is about 1,880 elected seats in all. On top of these there are nominated seats: the National Assembly has 12 members nominated by parties to represent groups such as youth, workers and persons with disabilities; the Senate has 16 nominated women members plus two youth and two disability seats; and county assemblies also have special seats. Parties nominate these members in proportion to the seats they win. You do not vote for them directly.

In past elections, registered Kenyans living in designated diaspora countries voted only for the presidential candidate.

From registration to polling day

1. Voters register with the IEBC. See how to register and vote.
2. Parties choose their candidates through party primaries, which must be finished by 8 May 2027. Independent candidates leave their parties and submit their names and symbols by the same date.
3. The IEBC registers candidates between 29 May and 11 June 2027, on different days for different positions.
4. Campaigns run from 29 May to 7 August 2027 and stop 48 hours before polling day, under the electoral laws and the code of conduct.
5. Voting day: 10 August 2027. Polling stations open at 6 am and close at 5 pm.
6. Counting, declaring results and any disputes. See how results work.

All the dates are on the key dates page.

How many people vote?

In 2022, the IEBC reported 22,120,458 registered voters, and results were collected from more than 46,000 polling stations. The IEBC has projected that the number of registered voters could rise to about 28 million by 2027. Check the IEBC for the current figure.

Find your candidates

Chagua lists the people seeking each position. Choose your county to see who is on your ballot, or explore all profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Can the election date change? The date comes from the Constitution, so the IEBC and politicians cannot simply move it. Only a court ruling or a change to the Constitution would alter it. See "About the date" above.

Do I vote for a party or for a person? For a person. Each ballot lists the candidates for that position, with their party or independent symbol. Party-nominated seats are filled after the election, in proportion to the seats each party wins.

What is a spoilt vote? A ballot that is marked in a way the rules do not allow, so it does not count. On each paper, mark only the box or symbol of the candidate you choose.

Last reviewed: 21 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].