How to run as an independent candidate
Constitution of Kenya 2010, Elections Act 2011 and IEBC · sources read 5 Oct 2026
To run as an independent you must not have been a member of any political party for at least 3 months before the election (for 2027, out by 8 May 2027), give IEBC your name and symbol, and hand in signatures of registered voters backing you: 1,000 for MP or woman rep, 2,000 for Senator, 500 for governor or MCA, and 2,000 in each of a majority of counties for President.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Deadline
- 8 May 2027 Not a member of any registered party by Saturday 8 May 2027 (at least 3 months before the 10 August 2027 election).
- Deadline
- 8 May 2027 Name and symbol to IEBC by Saturday 8 May 2027.
- Deadline
- 24 May 2027 Presidential candidates: list of at least 2,000 voters in each of a majority of counties to IEBC by Monday 24 May 2027.
- Deadline
- 12 Jun 2027 Nomination disputes: within 24 hours, and by Saturday 12 June 2027 at the latest.
- Where
- IEBC (name, symbol, Form 11N and nomination) and the Registrar of Political Parties (clearance certificate)
What you need
- Clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties showing you have not been in any party for 3 months, plus the Form of Intention to Contest (Form 11N)
- MP or woman rep: numbered A4 sheets with names, signatures and ID numbers of at least 1,000 registered voters in the constituency or county, with copies of their IDs
- Senator: the same kind of list for 2,000 registered voters in the county
- Governor: the same kind of list for 500 registered voters in the county
- MCA: the same kind of list for 500 registered voters in the ward
- President: a list of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of counties, on paper and electronically, with copies of their IDs
Steps
- Leave any political party in time: for the 2027 General Election you must not be a member of any registered party by Saturday 8 May 2027.
- Get a clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties and file it with IEBC together with Form 11N (intention to contest).
- Submit the name and symbol you will use to IEBC by Saturday 8 May 2027.
- On nomination day, hand in your nomination paper in person (or through someone you authorise), signed by you and a proposer and seconder who are registered voters in the area and not members of any party, with your supporters' list.
- If you have a dispute about your IEBC nomination, lodge it with IEBC within 24 hours, and no later than 12 June 2027.
Watch out
- The name you run under must be the same as the name on the ID or passport you used to register as a voter.
- IEBC can reject your symbol if it is obscene or offensive, or is the same as or too close to another candidate's or a party's symbol.
- You must give a physical address inside the area you are contesting, where documents can be served on you.
- By law your symbol must reach IEBC at least 21 days before nomination day (7 days if you are running to fill a vacant governor seat).
- IEBC publishes the names of intending independent candidates in the Gazette at least 14 days before nomination day, so check that your name appears.
Who can apply
- Anyone who is not a member of a registered political party and has not been one for at least 3 months before election day.
- Independents can run for President, Parliament (MP, Senator, woman rep) and county seats (governor, MCA).
- You must also meet the normal qualifications for the seat, including the number of voters backing you.
Official sources (4)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Elections Act, No. 24 of 2011 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Elections (General) Regulations, 2012 (L.N. 128 of 2012) new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Kenya Gazette Special Issue Vol. CXXVIII No. 144 (20 August 2026): IEBC General Election timelines, Gazette Notices 13497-13502 iebc.or.ke · read 3 Oct 2026