The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed a Sh57.4 billion budget for the 2027 General Election, with plans to register an additional 6.3 million voters beyond the current 22.1 million.
Appearing before the Budget and Appropriations Committee, National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chairperson Gitonga Murugara revealed that the electoral body seeks Sh5.12 billion for electoral activities and Sh3.7 billion for routine operations in the run-up to the elections.
In its proposed allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year, the IEBC has earmarked Sh9.6 billion, including Sh788 million for pending by-elections. Murugara indicated the commission intends to acquire 59,352 election kits — 55,393 for polling stations and 3,959 for training purposes.
Of these, 45,352 kits purchased in 2017 are due for replacement, while 14,000 acquired in 2022 will be reused. The commission cited factors such as costly result transmission, legal rulings requiring ballot reprints, forex losses, and emergency transportation of materials and personnel as reasons for the substantial financial request.
The commission is also burdened with Sh3.799 billion in pending bills, with legal fees accounting for Sh2.65 billion. “My committee has also directed the commission to submit primary documents in support of the pending bills, especially the legal bills, for consideration and scrutiny to ascertain whether the Auditor General should undertake a special audit,” said Murugara.
Additionally, concerns were raised over inadequate funding for the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, which warned that critical election preparations could be compromised without further support. The office has appealed for an extra Sh6.98 billion, broken down into Sh256.69 million for election preparedness, Sh530.09 million for programme activities, and Sh6.19 billion for the Political Parties Fund.
The Political Parties Fund received Sh1.428 billion — far below the Sh7.618 billion mandated under Section 24(1) of the Political Parties Act — leaving a deficit of Sh6.19 billion.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
