The Migwani Ward by-election in Kitui County has been suspended, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The decision follows interim orders issued by the High Court on October 22, 2026, which halted the by-election and remain in force for 30 days. The court orders were issued in a petition filed by Francis Musili Kauta at the Kitui High Court against the IEBC and three other respondents who have not been named in the public notice.

The petition is pending, with the Kitui High Court scheduling a hearing for November 11, 2026. The IEBC had earlier scheduled the by-election for November 17. With the suspension in place, preparations for that poll are on hold.

The seat fell vacant after Harrison Maluki Mawia left the county assembly to become Clerk of the Kitui County Assembly. The assembly approved his appointment on August 5, 2026, and he was sworn into office the following day. The Speaker then declared the MCA seat vacant in August 2026, setting in motion the process that led to the planned by-election.

Before the court orders, the IEBC had cleared six candidates to contest the seat. They include Mwangangi Munyoki of the Wiper Patriotic Front and Kimanzi Mwendwa of the United Democratic Alliance. The other four are Susan Nzoka of the Party of Independent Candidates of Kenya, Michael Kive of the Peoples Party of Kenya, Christine Mwende of the National Economic Development Party, and Joel Kuri of the Mabadiliko Party of Kenya.

The IEBC said further updates on the matter would be shared through its official channels. The commission’s Chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, is identified in the notice.

The by-election’s fate now rests on the November 11 hearing at the Kitui High Court. Until the petition is determined, the interim orders bar the commission from proceeding with the poll.