Quick Answer
After polls close, votes are counted at each polling station in the open, recorded on official forms, and tallied upward. The IEBC declares the winners — and to win outright, a presidential candidate must clear a special national threshold.
Key facts
- Counting happens at the polling station, in public, with party agents present.
- Results are recorded on official IEBC forms and tallied upward.
- The IEBC chairperson declares the President-elect.
- A presidential winner needs 50%+1 and 25% in at least 24 counties.
Counting at the polling station
Votes are counted where they are cast — at the polling station, immediately after voting closes, in the open. Party and candidate agents, observers and the media may watch. The results for each station are recorded on official IEBC forms before being passed upward.
Tallying and declaration
Polling-station results are tallied at the constituency, county and national levels. Returning officers declare the winners for most seats, while the IEBC chairperson declares the President-elect at the national tallying centre once the presidential results are verified.
The presidential winning threshold
To be declared President in the first round, a candidate must win more than half of all votes cast nationally (50% + 1) and at least 25% of the votes in more than half of the 47 counties. If no candidate meets both, a run-off between the top two is held within 30 days.
Why this matters to you
Transparent, public counting is what makes a result trustworthy. Knowing the process explains why declarations take time, what agents and observers are doing, and why the presidential threshold matters.
Frequently asked questions
Where are votes counted?
At the polling station where they were cast, in the open, with agents and observers present.
Who declares the President-elect?
The IEBC chairperson, at the national tallying centre.
What if no presidential candidate reaches the threshold?
A run-off between the two leading candidates is held within 30 days.
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 86 and 138 — klrc.go.ke
- Elections Act, 2011 — kenyalaw.org
- Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) — iebc.or.ke