The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced May 14 as the date for the by-election in the Emurua Dikirr constituency. This decision paves the way for a significant political contest to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of long-serving MP Johanna Ng’eno.
Ng’eno, who was 53, tragically lost his life along with five others in a chopper crash in Mosop on February 28. He had represented the constituency since its establishment in 2013, successfully winning elections under three different party banners: the Kenya National Congress in 2013, the Kenya African National Union in 2017, and the United Democratic Alliance in 2022.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on March 13, the electoral agency confirmed that the election will coincide with two ward by-elections in other regions of the country: Porro ward in Samburu County and Endo ward in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, formally notified the IEBC of the vacancy on March 10, adhering to constitutional and electoral regulations. The by-election is poised to generate considerable political interest, particularly in a constituency with approximately 44,040 registered voters, making it the smallest of Narok County’s six constituencies.
This area, predominantly inhabited by the Kipsigis community, was established from the Kilgoris constituency following the 2007 elections. Attention has also turned to Ng’eno’s family, with his widow, Naiyanoi Ntutu, emerging as a potential candidate, having received support from clan elders.
During the late MP’s funeral, his 91-year-old mother, Mary Temas, urged residents to allow the family to retain the seat, asserting that her son’s leadership legacy “will remain in the family.”
The commission has appointed Caleb Siriba Gekonde as the returning officer for the constituency, with Sylvia Jepchumba serving as the deputy returning officer. The IEBC estimates that the election will incur costs of approximately Sh60 million.
The IEBC has emphasized that all political parties, candidates, and supporters must comply with the Electoral Code of Conduct, warning that violations will incur penalties under the Election Offences Act.
According to a notice from IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, political parties intending to participate must submit the names of candidates for party primaries by March 25, 2026, along with the dates for nominations. Independent candidates are also required to submit their names and proposed symbols by the same deadline and must not have been affiliated with any political party for at least three months prior to the by-election.
Following party primaries and the resolution of any internal disputes, parties must submit their final list of nominees to the commission by April 7. The official nomination of candidates by the commission will occur on April 15 and 16, after which campaign activities will commence and run until May 11, 48 hours before polling day.
The IEBC has stated that campaign activities will be permitted daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and parties and candidates must submit the names of constituency election agents and polling station agents by April 30. Any disputes arising from the nomination process must be reported within 24 hours and will be resolved within ten days, but no later than April 25.
Furthermore, the IEBC has announced that the registration and revision of the voters’ register will remain suspended until June 12 for the affected electoral areas. For the ward by-elections, the Porro ward vacancy was declared on January 5, and the Endo ward vacancy was declared on January 27. These polls will follow the same nomination, campaign, and dispute resolution timelines as the Emurua Dikirr contest.
