The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced to adopt a phased approach to the review of constituency and ward boundaries as it prepares for the 2027 General Election. In a press released in Nairobi on 27 January 2026, the Commission said the decision followed a detailed assessment of constitutional requirements, court rulings, availability of resources and the national electoral calendar. IEBC emphasized that boundary delimitation is a constitutional mandate, it must be undertaken in a manner that does not compromise the credibility and preparedness of the upcoming general election. The Commission noted that electoral boundary reviews are central to Kenya’s representative democracy, as they give effect to the principle of “one person, one vote, one value.”
The Constitution requires IEBC to periodically review electoral units to ensure fair representation in line with population changes and geographic. IEBC explained that significant groundwork for the second boundary review had already been undertaken since 2019 under the Boundaries Review Operations Plan. IEBC cited ongoing and potential litigation seeking to compel the Commission to complete boundary reviews before the 2027 polls, as well as guidance from the Supreme Court that clarified that the Secretariat could not independently undertake delimitation in the absence of Commissioners. Competing priorities, including by-elections, voter registration, legal reforms, and preparations for the 2027 General Election. With this deadline fast approaching, IEBC said a full delimitation exercise would be impractical. Under the phased approach, the Commission will intensify preparatory and technical work such as geo-data collection, validation, and capacity building, while deferring substantive boundary reviews until after the 2027 General Election. IEBC confirmed that no constituency or ward boundaries will be reviewed before the next election and that full delimitation will only proceed once legally validated population data is available.
The Commission also clarified that, under the Constitution, the number of constituencies remains capped at 290, meaning boundary reviews will not increase or reduce their number without constitutional amendments. Concerns over inconsistencies between the Constitution and statutory limits on wards were noted, with IEBC calling for parliamentary intervention. IEBC said the phased approach will help manage legal and operational risks while upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the electoral process. The Commission pledged continued engagement with stakeholders, Parliament, and the public, alongside close monitoring of pending court cases affecting census data. According to IEBC, the strategy strikes a balance between fulfilling its constitutional mandate on boundary reviews and ensuring a credible, well-prepared 2027 General Election.