A Kenyan campaign needs branded merchandise in three waves: a small, sharp set for the party primaries (which must be finished by 8 May 2027), the bulk order for the official campaign (29 May to 7 August 2027), and agent and thank-you items around polling day on 10 August 2027. This checklist covers what goes in each wave, who it's for, and how to work out quantities so you don't run out in July or pay for boxes of unused T-shirts in September.
It works for any seat, from MCA to Governor, and for any party or independent candidate.
First, lock your campaign brand
Every item below carries the same few elements. Settle them once, in writing, before anything is printed:
- Your name exactly as it will appear on the ballot. A different spelling on posters and T-shirts confuses voters.
- One good photo. Shot in daylight, plain background, high resolution. A phone photo of a printed photo will look blurred on a banner.
- Seat and area: "MCA, Kahawa Ward", "MP, Ruaraka Constituency". Voters need to know what you're asking them to vote for.
- Party name, colours and symbol (or your independent symbol). Ask your party for its official logo file and colour codes; independent candidates submit their names and symbols to IEBC by 8 May 2027.
- A slogan of four to six words that still reads from across the road.
Get a designer to put these into one master design with versions for a T-shirt chest, a poster and a banner. Every later order then becomes a reprint, not a new design job. Don't put the IEBC logo on any of it: IEBC has told candidates to stop using it on campaign materials.
Wave 1: party primaries (now to 8 May 2027)
At this stage you're persuading party members and delegates, not the whole ward. Keep it small and good quality; this is the set people see you in on TV and in WhatsApp groups.
- Polo shirts for you and your inner circle (5–15 people). A neat polo looks better in photos than a T-shirt.
- T-shirts and caps for your core team of mobilisers.
- Business cards with your phone number and social media handles.
- Flyers with your three main promises and a photo.
- A backdrop banner for meetings and interviews.
- Name tags or lanyards for your team at meetings.
- Social media graphics: profile picture frame, cover photo, a template for announcements.
Wave 2: the campaign period (29 May to 7 August 2027)
This is the bulk order. IEBC rules say campaign posters, billboards and caravans are only lawful inside the official campaign period, and only once you're registered as a candidate. Plan to have this wave printed and boxed by late May, then roll it out from your registration date.
| Item | Who it's for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts | Volunteers, supporters at rallies | Your biggest line. Order a size split, not all "L" |
| Caps | Volunteers, riders, rally crowds | Cheap visibility in sunny rallies |
| Reflector jackets | Marshals, boda boda riders, caravan crew | Safety and visibility on the road |
| Posters | Kiosks, shops and walls you have permission to use | Order more than you think; they get covered |
| PVC banners | Rally stages, campaign office, vehicles | Eyelets every 50 cm so they survive wind |
| Roll-up banners | Indoor meetings, media interviews | Reusable across the whole campaign |
| Stickers | Cars, matatus, boda bodas, phones | Small ones get stuck everywhere |
| Flyers | Door-to-door, markets, matatu stages | Reprint with updates as the campaign moves |
| Vehicle branding | Caravan and campaign vehicles | Check the vehicle owner's permission in writing |
| Lesos/kangas and umbrellas | Women's groups, rally crowds | Popular, but heavier on budget |
Keep a small reserve (about 10%) of T-shirts and caps for late-joining volunteers and for replacing worn ones in July.
Wave 3: polling day and after
Campaigning ends on 7 August 2027, 48 hours before polling. From then on, campaign-branded clothing and materials around polling stations are a problem, so plan this wave differently:
- Agent kits: a notebook, pens, a plain bag, water and a power bank for each agent. Ask your chief agent what agents may wear and carry; chief agents are submitted to IEBC by 27 July 2027.
- Thank-you materials for after results: a banner for your office, social media graphics, and thank-you cards for key supporters.
How many do you need?
Don't guess. Build the number from your structure:
- Count your polling stations. IEBC publishes polling stations per ward and constituency.
- Decide how many volunteers you want per station.
- Add your core team and the people you'll dress for events.
- Add 10–15% for sizes and replacements.
Example (an MCA seat): 25 polling stations × 6 volunteers = 150, plus 30 core team = 180, plus 15% = about 207 T-shirts. Caps usually match T-shirts. For agents, plan one agent and one relief per station: 25 × 2 = 50 agent kits.
For sizes, start from a rough split such as 10% S, 30% M, 35% L, 20% XL and 5% XXL, then replace it with real sizes from your team leaders before you order more than 100 pieces.
Quality checks before you pay
- Ask for a printed sample of the T-shirt with your design before the full run.
- Check the colours against your party colours in daylight, not on a phone screen.
- Wash test: a campaign T-shirt is worn for two months. Ask how the print holds up after washing.
- Get a written quote listing item, quantity, size split, print positions and delivery date.
- Get an invoice and receipt for every order. Campaign spending has to be reported to IEBC, so you'll need the paperwork (see our rules guide).
Get your campaign merchandise from Bluprint Pixels
We design and print campaign T-shirts, polo shirts, caps, reflector jackets, banners, stickers, flyers and business cards in Nairobi, and we can build your campaign website too. We work with every candidate and party.
- See our branded merchandise and printing services.
- Need the master design first? Start with branding and graphic design.
- Free delivery within Nairobi. Visit us in Gacio, next to Mbaires Restaurant.
Send us your seat, number of polling stations and the items you need on WhatsApp (0741 425 665) and we'll put together a quote.
Dates come from IEBC's 2027 election timetable as reported in August 2026. Check the latest Gazette notices before you order, and ask your party about its own primary dates. This guide is not legal advice.
Sources: Citizen Digital: IEBC gazettes 2027 election period · Pulse Kenya: 2027 election timelines