Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has the legal authority to postpone elections under specific, serious circumstances, following recent threats to cancel the Ol-Kalou parliamentary by-election due to violence.

• IEBC can postpone an election if holding it on schedule would threaten its credibility or safety, as per the Elections Act 2011, Section 55B.
• Key reasons for postponement include the likelihood of a serious breach of the peace, natural disasters or emergencies, and serious electoral malpractice that makes a credible election impossible.
• If postponed, elections must be held at the earliest practicable time, and the IEBC may declare results if the affected area's vote wouldn't change the overall outcome.