The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has begun clearing candidates for the by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025, across 24 electoral areas. Aspirants from various parties have received clearance, while some face deadlines to submit outstanding documents.

• James Shinachi Angatia of ARC was granted until October 9 at 4 p.m. to submit his retirement letter for the Malava parliamentary by-election.
• Notable candidates cleared include Seth Panyako (DAP-K) in Malava, Boyd Were (ODM) in Kasipul, and Benson Obol (UGM) in Ugunja.
• In the Baringo Senate race, youngster Samuel Letasio (Kenya Moja Movement Party) will challenge KANU Chairman Gideon Moi and UDA’s Chemitei Kiprono.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has cleared Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyako to contest the Malava By-Election on November 27, despite a legal challenge.

• Panyako's clearance comes despite an existing petition to bar him from the by-election due to his continued service as a Board Member of the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND), past the August 15 resignation deadline for public officers.
• He was accompanied to the IEBC office by DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa and Senate Minority Leader Boni Khalwale.
• Filed by fellow aspirant Caleb Burudi, the petition cited Panyako's participation in a LAPFUND workshop in Naivasha from September 9-12.
• Panyako will now face front-runners David Ndakwa of the United Democratic Alliance and Edgar Busiega from the DCP.

The Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) has cleared Boyd Were (ODM) and Seth Panyako (DAP-K) to contest in the upcoming November 27 by-elections for the Kasipul and Malava MP seats, respectively.

• Both candidates faced significant opposition to their candidacies, with Panyako's eligibility challenged due to his role as a Board Member for the Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND).
• Were, son of the late Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were, secured his candidacy despite reports of planned disruptions during the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) primaries.
• The clearances were announced on Wednesday, October 8, sparking celebrations from their supporters and being accompanied by senior party officials.

The Elections Observation Group (ELOG) has raised significant concerns regarding data privacy over the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) introduction of iris scans in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). ELOG emphasizes that while the technology could enhance voter verification, a lack of transparent communication on data handling could undermine public confidence and participation.

• ELOG urges the IEBC to publicly disclose if a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) was conducted and clarify third-party access to biometric data.
• Victor Nyongesa, ELOG Chairperson, stated that "Data security and transparency are foundational to electoral credibility."
• The IEBC must assure Kenyans that their biometric data will be securely managed in line with the Data Protection Act of 2019.