UDA Senate aspirant Kiprono Chemitei was on Thursday cleared by the IEBC to contest in the upcoming Baringo senatorial by-election.
Chemitei, who arrived in Kabarnet accompanied by several UDA lawmakers, successfully submitted his papers to the IEBC returning officer.
The Baringo senatorial by-election is set to take place on November 27, 2025.
Cheburei garnered 48,791 votes in the UDA party nomination to clinch the ticket.
His closest rival, Tobole Kipsang Kibor Wycliffe, managed 30,897 votes, while Daniel Kiptoo Korir came third with 23,613.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is today, October 9, 2025, finalising the registration of candidates in 24 electoral areas where by-elections are scheduled for November 27, 2025.
According to the commission, the process involves verifying nominees against a checklist based on legal requirements outlining the qualifications and disqualifications for each elective position.
Upon successful registration by the respective Returning Officers, candidates will be allowed to begin their campaigns.
The campaign period will run daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will conclude on Monday, November 24, 2025—48 hours before polling day.
On September 27, IEBC assured Kenyans that it is fully prepared to conduct the by-elections scheduled for 27 November 2025.
This came after the commission secured the requisite funding from the National Treasury.
Confirming the development, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon Edung said the commission had now secured all the resources it had been seeking to run a smooth electoral process.
“We would like to assure the country and citizens that all preparations are in top gear, and the resources we needed to conduct successful by-elections are now available to us,” Edung stated.
His remarks came after weeks of concern over budgetary shortfalls, which had raised fears of possible delays.
According to Edung, those constraints were resolved following fruitful engagements with Treasury officials.
"Where there were shortages, we have had candid and fruitful discussions with our national treasury, who have since then unlocked that, and therefore there is no reason whatsoever why we should not have by-elections as planned," he affirmed.
The IEBC chair also highlighted the commission’s ongoing collaboration with political stakeholders to enhance transparency and preparedness.
He revealed that the electoral agency has held consultative meetings with political parties through the Political Parties Liaison Committee, alongside the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
These engagements, he said, have covered the commission’s readiness not only for the upcoming by-elections, but also for the 2027 general elections.
"We have discussed several issues on our levels of preparedness, not only for the 2027 general elections but also for the by-elections and voter registration exercises," he said.
