IEBC National Steering Committee Chairperson Evans Masiti speaking during a stakeholder engagement forum on the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027 / IEBC X
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will petition Parliament to enact legislation setting minimum academic qualifications for individuals seeking elective office, amid growing debate over educational standards for political leaders.
IEBC National Steering Committee Chairperson Evans Masiti said the commission was concerned about court rulings that have affected the enforcement of educational requirements for candidates.
Masiti said Kenya needed to establish clear academic standards for those seeking political office, arguing that leadership positions should have minimum educational thresholds.
“I’m happy the presidents of the courts are here. We have had pronouncements from the courts regarding educational standards. We shall be petitioning Parliament to ensure that we legislate some of the requirements because we are going to see a situation where a PhD holder and a Form Four dropout will be the same, as per what IEBC has told us. As a country, we must have some educational standards,” he said.
He noted that representatives of political parties had been invited and actively participated in developing the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operations Plan, ensuring broad stakeholder input in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Masiti spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement forum on the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027.
The remarks came as the commission unveiled key milestones contained in the Election Operations Plan, a framework designed to guide the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of activities leading up to the 2027 General Election.
According to Commissioner Ann Nderitu, who chairs the Election Operations Committee, the plan is anchored on the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, compliance with electoral laws, stakeholder engagement and institutional resilience.
Nderitu announced that Kenya's next General Election will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2027. Public officers intending to contest for elective seats will be required to resign from office by February 9, 2027, six months before the election date.
Political parties will be required to submit their membership lists and details of party primaries by March 16, 2027. The parties must conclude nominations and resolve any internal disputes by May 9, 2027.
Independent candidates will also have until May 9, 2027, to cease membership in any political party and submit their names and symbols to the commission.
The nomination of political party and independent candidates is scheduled to take place between May 29 and June 11, 2027, while disputes arising from nominations must be lodged no later than June 12 and determined within ten days.
The commission announced that the official campaign period for the 2027 General Election will run from May 29, 2027, to August 7, 2027, 48 hours before voters head to the polls.
