What you need to run for President, and the IEBC nomination fee
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission; Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Elections Regulations, 2012 · sources read 5 Oct 2026
To run for President you must be a Kenyan citizen by birth who qualifies to stand as an MP, be nominated by a party or run as an independent, and be backed by at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of the counties. The IEBC nomination fee is KSh 200,000 (KSh 100,000 if you are a youth, a woman or a person with disability), paid by banker's draft and not refundable.
- Fee
- KSh 200,000IEBC presidential nomination fee (non-refundable, banker's draft)KSh 100,000IEBC presidential nomination fee for a youth, a woman or a person with disability (non-refundable, banker's draft)
- Deadline
- 10 Feb 2027 Public officers who want to run must resign by 10 February 2027.
- Deadline
- 8 May 2027 8 May 2027: parties submit their presidential candidate's name; independents must be out of any party and submit their name and symbol.
- Deadline
- 24 May 2027 24 May 2027: list of supporters due at IEBC.
- Deadline
- 11 Jun 2027 29 May to 11 June 2027: IEBC nomination days for President.
- Deadline
- IEBC must decide a nomination dispute within 10 days of it being lodged.
- Where
- IEBC: nomination papers go to the IEBC Chairperson at a place IEBC designates; party candidates go through their political party first
What you need
- Application for nomination on Form 12, signed by you (and by your party's authorised official, or by two of your nominating voters if independent)
- List of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of counties: names, signatures and ID or passport numbers, on numbered A4 sheets and in electronic form, with copies of their IDs
- Statutory declaration on Form 13, made not earlier than one month before nomination day
- The nomination fee as a banker's draft
- Independents: a clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties and a form of intention to contest (Form 11N)
Steps
- Party candidate: your party picks you through primaries or direct nomination and gives IEBC your name by 8 May 2027. Independent: leave any party by 8 May 2027 and give IEBC your name and symbol by the same date.
- Collect your supporters: deliver to IEBC the list of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of counties by 24 May 2027.
- Pick a running mate who also qualifies to be President. There is no separate nomination for the Deputy President.
- Between 29 May and 11 June 2027, hand your nomination papers, statutory declaration and fee to the IEBC Chairperson at the place IEBC names, 8am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm.
- If you have a dispute about IEBC's nominations, lodge it with IEBC within 24 hours, and no later than 12 June 2027.
Watch out
- You cannot be nominated while you are a public officer or acting in a public office. A sitting President, Deputy President or MP can still run.
- IEBC's 2027 notice says anyone who takes part in a public fundraising or harambee after 9 December 2026 will be disqualified from contesting.
- An independent presidential candidate must set up and keep a working office in Kenya, open for IEBC inspection at least 45 days before the election.
Who can apply
- A citizen by birth who qualifies to stand as an MP, nominated by a party or running as an independent, and nominated by at least 2,000 voters in each of a majority of the counties.
- Because you must qualify as an MP, you must be a registered voter and meet the educational, moral and ethical requirements set by law.
- Your running mate (Deputy President candidate) must also qualify for nomination as President, but does not need their own 2,000-voter lists.
- You must not owe allegiance to a foreign state.
- You (and your running mate) must hold a degree from a university recognised in Kenya.
Common questions
How much is the IEBC nomination fee for president?
KSh 200,000, paid by banker's draft. It is not refundable.
Is the fee lower for youth, women or persons with disability?
Yes. A candidate who is a youth, a woman or a person with disability pays KSh 100,000.
Do I need a degree to run for president?
Yes. A presidential or deputy presidential candidate must hold a degree from a university recognised in Kenya.
How many supporters do I need?
A list with the names, signatures and ID or passport numbers of at least 2,000 registered voters in each of a majority of the counties.
When are the IEBC presidential nominations?
Between Saturday 29 May and Friday 11 June 2027. Candidates deliver their papers to the IEBC Chairperson.
Can a candidate take part in harambees?
No. Anyone who takes part in a public fundraising or harambee after 9 December 2026 is disqualified from the General Election.
Official sources (4)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Elections (General) Regulations, 2012 (L.N. 128 of 2012) new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Gazette Notice No. 13497: Election for President (2027 General Election timelines) iebc.or.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Elections Act, No. 24 of 2011 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026