General elections in Kenya
General elections in Kenya are run by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). They determine who will serve as President, Members of Parliament, Senators, Governors, and County Assembly representatives.
Voter registration
To vote, you must be registered with IEBC and have a valid national ID card or passport.
How to register as a voter
- Visit an IEBC registration centre
- Present your national ID or passport
- Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph)
- Confirm your polling station
- Receive a voter acknowledgement slip
Check your voter registration status
You can verify your registration through the IEBC voter verification system (opens in a new tab).
Election timelines
Key milestones in the general election process:
- voter registration updates and verification
- candidate nominations by political parties
- IEBC clearance of candidates
- campaign period (regulated by law)
- election day (second Tuesday of August)
- announcement of results
Election laws must be enacted or reviewed at least one year before a general election.
Candidates and political parties
Kenya has a multi-party system. Candidates can run through registered political parties or as independents.
Offices elected during general elections
Eligibility requirements for candidates
- must be a Kenyan citizen
- must be a registered voter
- must meet IEBC clearance requirements
- must not have disqualifying criminal convictions
See the full list of registered political parties and political coalitions.
How voting works
- Go to your assigned polling station
- Present your ID or passport
- Complete biometric verification
- Receive ballot papers
- Vote in the secret ballot booth
- Place ballots in the correct boxes
- Have your finger marked with indelible ink to prevent double voting
Presidential election results
A presidential candidate must win:
- more than half of all valid votes cast (50% + 1)
- at least 25% of valid votes in at least half of all counties
Results and transparency
IEBC is responsible for tallying and announcing official results. Results are transmitted from polling stations to constituency and national tallying centres using statutory forms:
- Form 34A — polling station results
- Form 34B — constituency tally
- Form 34C — national presidential results
Legal framework
Elections in Kenya are governed by the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and supporting laws.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 38 — Political rights
Guarantees every citizen the right to free, fair and regular elections. - Article 81 — General principles of the electoral system
Requires elections to be free from violence, with fair representation and gender equity. - Article 82 — Legislation on elections
Directs Parliament to enact laws on voter registration, boundaries and election procedures. - Article 86 — Voting
Requires voting to be simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent. - Article 88 — IEBC
Establishes the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. - Article 101 — Election of members of Parliament
Sets parliamentary elections for the second Tuesday of August every 5 years. - Article 136 — Election of the President
Establishes presidential election timing and the 50% + 1 requirement. - Articles 177 and 180 — County elections
Legal basis for election of Governors and Members of County Assemblies.
Acts of Parliament
- Elections Act (2011)
Governs voter registration, candidate nominations, election procedures and dispute resolution. Administered by IEBC. - Political Parties Act
Regulates formation, registration, funding and internal democracy of political parties. Administered by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP). - IEBC Act
Defines the powers, structure and mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. - Election Campaign Financing Act
Regulates campaign spending limits and requires disclosure of political donations.
Regulations and codes
- Electoral Code of Conduct Regulations
Enforces ethical conduct during campaigns, including prohibitions on bribery, violence and hate speech. - IEBC Regulations and Guidelines
Operational rules covering voting procedures, tallying and result transmission.
These laws form the legal foundation of Kenya's electoral system and may be amended by Parliament or interpreted by the courts.
Published: 1 January 2026 • Last updated: 2 July 2026
This information is regularly reviewed to ensure accuracy.