IEBC Sets Date for Migwani Ward By-Election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced that the Migwani Ward by-election will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2026.  

According to a gazette notice on Wednesday, September 23, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the by-election follows the declaration of a vacancy issued by the Kitui County Assembly Speaker.

“Following the declaration of vacancy that occurred in the office of Member of County Assembly, Migwani Ward, Mwingi West Constituency, Kitui County, issued by the Speaker on 6th August, 2026, there shall be a by-election in Migwani Ward on Tuesday, 17th November, 2026,” read the notice in part. 

Ethekon also said any public officer who intends to contest in the by-election should resign from office within seven days. 

The IEBC Chair also said political parties intending to field candidates in the by-election must submit the names of those contesting in their respective party primaries, together with the dates of the primaries, before September 30.

“Each political party intending to participate in the By-election shall submit the names of the persons contesting in the party primary and the date of the party primary on or before Wednesday, 30th September, 2026,” Ethekon stated. 

Candidates intending to participate in the by-election as independent candidates are also required to submit their names and symbols by September 30. 

Further, Ethekon said the campaign period will begin on October 21 and run until November 14, 2026. 

“The campaign time shall run from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. each day during the campaign period,” IEBC added. 

The Migwani Ward MCA seat fell vacant after Harrison Mawia resigned from the role to assume the position of clerk in the Kitui County Assembly. 

The 35-year-old was sworn in to the role on August 6 by Speaker Kevin Katisya. Mawia succeeded Elijah Mutambuki.