The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC )has announced that by-elections for vacant Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County, and West Kabras Ward in Kakamega County will be held on Thursday, 26 February 2026. The announcement was made through a gazette notice issued in mid-December 2025 and signed by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
In Mbeere North, the by-elections will take place in Muminji Ward and Evurore Ward following the resignation of the sitting MCAs, Newton Karish and Duncan Mbui, who vacated their seats in 2025 to contest the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. Both lost the parliamentary race, leaving the two wards without representation at the Embu County Assembly.
In Kakamega County, the West Kabras Ward seat fell vacant after the former MCA David Ndakwa resigned to contest the Malava parliamentary by-election, which he won.
Although the IEBC has not yet published the final list of candidates, several political figures are expected to contest the MCA seats once party nominations are concluded in January 2026. In Mbeere North, former MCAs Newton Karish and Duncan Mbui are widely expected to attempt political comebacks, while major parties including UDA, Jubilee, DP, and other smaller parties are preparing to field candidates.
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Political observers say the influence of the current Mbeere North Member of Parliament, Leonard “Leo wa Muthende” Muthende, is likely to shape the contests, particularly in party-aligned strongholds.
In West Kabras Ward, parties that performed strongly in the recent Malava parliamentary by-election are also expected to mount competitive campaigns, with local leaders and former ward-level aspirants expressing interest.
The IEBC has already appointed Returning Officers and issued a detailed electoral timetable, with independent candidates required to submit their nomination papers early January, followed by party nominations and clearance later in the month. Campaigns will officially begin after nominations and end 48 hours before polling day.
The February 2026 by-elections are expected to be closely watched, as they come barely a year after intense parliamentary by-elections and are viewed as an early political test ahead of the 2027 General Election. Voters in the affected wards will head to the polls to elect leaders who will serve the remainder of the current county assembly term.
