IEBC dismisses as fake notice declaring UDA winners in two ward races

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon/FILE

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has declared as fake reports on social media that United Democratic Alliance has secured two county assembly seats unopposed ahead of the November 27 by-elections.

The commission said the notice circulating online titled “Declaration of No Contest for Members of Tembelio and Metkei Wards in the By-Elections scheduled for 27th November 2025” is fake.

“The Commission advises the public to disregard it,” IEBC said on X.

The notice had indicated that IEBC has declared no contest in Tembelio Ward in Moiben Constituency, Uasin Gishu county, and Metkei Ward in Keiyo South Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet county, after no other candidates submitted nominations to challenge UDA’s nominees.

It claimed that as a result, Ruben Kigen Tobosei and Philip Kipkosgei Kiprutto had been declared duly elected as Members of County Assembly (MCAs) for Tembelio and Metkei wards respectively.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Articles 88(4) and 177(1)(a) of the Constitution, Section 4 of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011, Sections 13(3) and 19 of the Elections Act, 2011, and Regulations 51(2), (4), (5) and 53 of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission makes a declaration of no contest,” the false notice purporting to be from IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said in part.

The number of upcoming by-elections for ward seats therefore remains uchanged at 16.

The IEBC has also scheduled other by-elections for November 27, including the Baringo Senatorial race and six parliamentary seats in Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja constituencies.

Ethekon earlier confirmed that the IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) will hear and determine all disputes arising from the nomination process between October 8 and October 17, 2025, to ensure compliance and fairness ahead of the polls.

The IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Committee will also handle any reported breaches of the electoral code from the date of publication of the by-election notice until the gazettement of the elected officials.

“Election dispute resolution is a crucial process that ensures all complaints, challenges, objections, and violations relating to every stage of the electoral process are resolved in accordance with the law,” Ethekon said.

The official campaign period will run from October 8 to November 24, 2025, with candidates allowed to campaign daily between 7am and 6pm.

Political parties and independent candidates have until Tuesday, November 11 to appoint and submit the names of their Election Agents to the Commission.

The certified voter register published on June 21, 2022, will be used in the November 27 by-elections.