The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has formally announced the suspension of the Migwani Ward by-election in Kitui County following interim orders issued by the High Court in Kitui.
In a public notice, the electoral commission said the decision followed conservatory orders issued on October 22, 2026, in Constitutional Petition No. E011 of 2026, filed by Francis Musili Kauta against the IEBC and three other respondents.
The court orders suspend the electoral process for 30 days pending the hearing of the petition, placing the planned November 17 by-election on hold.
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The petition is scheduled for hearing on November 11, 2026, when the court is expected to consider the issues raised in the case.
The IEBC has urged members of the public and all electoral stakeholders to take note of the development, adding that further updates will be communicated through its official channels.
Legal Dispute Puts Migwani Poll on Hold
The suspension comes after the High Court intervened in a dispute concerning the declaration of the Migwani Ward seat as vacant, a decision that paved the way for the by-election in Mwingi West Constituency.
The vacancy followed the departure of former Migwani Member of County Assembly Harrison Maluki Mawia, who took up the position of Clerk of the Kitui County Assembly.
The resulting legal challenge has placed the circumstances surrounding the vacancy declaration under judicial scrutiny.
The court’s interim orders temporarily halt the electoral process as the petition awaits a hearing. However, the suspension does not amount to a final determination of the issues raised in the case.
Six Candidates Had Been Cleared
Before the suspension, the IEBC had cleared six candidates to contest the Migwani Ward seat in the November 17 poll.
They were Michael Kive of the Peoples Party of Kenya (PPK), Christine Mwende of the National Economic Development Party (NEDP), Joel Kuri of the Mabadiliko Party of Kenya (MAPK), Susan Nzoka of the Party of Independent Candidates of Kenya (PICK), Mwangangi Munyoki of the Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) and Kimanzi Mwendwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The suspension introduces uncertainty into the candidates’ preparations and the electoral timetable, pending further directions from the court.
November 11 Hearing Key to Next Steps
Attention now shifts to the November 11 hearing, which will provide the next significant opportunity for the court to consider the petition.
Until further directions are issued, the IEBC’s notice makes clear that the Migwani Ward by-election remains suspended under the interim orders.
The commission has not announced a revised polling date in the notice.
Residents of Migwani Ward and the participating candidates will therefore have to await further communication from the IEBC as the legal proceedings continue.
The eventual way forward will depend on the court process and any subsequent orders affecting the electoral exercise.
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