When is the next general election in Kenya?
Constitution of Kenya 2010 · sources read 3 Oct 2026
The Constitution says Kenya's general election is held on the second Tuesday in August every fifth year, and the IEBC has set the next one for Tuesday 10 August 2027. MPs, Senators, the President, governors and MCAs are all elected on that same day.
- Deadline
- 10 Feb 2027 A public officer who wants to run in this election must resign by Wednesday 10 February 2027, six months before the vote.
- Deadline
- 7 Aug 2027 Campaigns may start only once a candidate is registered, not before 29 May 2027, and must end on 7 August 2027, 48 hours before election day.
- Where
- IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) offices and iebc.or.ke
Steps
- Mark Tuesday 10 August 2027. That is the day Kenyans go to the polls, as announced by the IEBC.
- Follow the IEBC for the official timetable. The Constitution makes the IEBC responsible for running elections.
- If you are not yet registered, or have moved, register, transfer or update your details with the IEBC through continuous voter registration.
Watch out
- In a 2025 petition, the High Court at Malindi read Article 136 to mean the presidential election was due on 11 August 2026. The court suspended that decision until the 10 August 2027 election, and the IEBC says the matter remains subject to appeal.
- Only when Kenya is at war can Parliament push its term out, by up to six months at a time and no more than twelve months in total, with two-thirds support in each House.
Who this covers
- Adult Kenyan citizens who register as voters, unless declared of unsound mind or convicted of an election offence in the last five years.
Official sources (3)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Press release: Status of election preparedness (20 August 2026) iebc.or.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Election Operations Plan 2025 - 2027 iebc.or.ke · read 3 Oct 2026