The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concerns about inadequate funding as the country approaches the 2027 General Elections, urging the National Treasury to reconsider its budget allocation.
With just 14 months before Kenyans vote, the IEBC requires additional financial support to prepare for the upcoming electoral process.
Commissioned by Erastus Ethekon, the body had sought Ksh74.8 billion to cover electoral expenses, including voter registration, technology procurement, civic education, and deployment of election officials.
However, Parliament approved only Ksh41.3 billion for the commission, constituting approximately 55 percent of the requested amount and creating a funding shortfall of Ksh33.5 billion.
The IEBC is now preparing an election budget framework scheduled for submission to Parliament next Thursday, advocating for extra resources to address the deficit.
According to the commission, the 2027 election is anticipated to be more extensive and resource-demanding than the 2022 polls due to an expected rise in the number of polling stations nationwide.
The commission forecasts that polling centers will increase from roughly 46,000 during the 2022 General Election to approximately 55,000 in 2027, requiring additional personnel, equipment, and logistical support.
A significant portion of the budget has been designated for election technology, particularly the replacement and expansion of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) devices.
The IEBC intends to allocate Ksh9.3 billion for KIEMS kits, including replacing 45,353 existing devices and purchasing an additional 5,000 kits as emergency reserves during the election period.
The commission has also allocated Ksh2.7 billion for printing ballot papers and statutory election forms necessary for conducting the polls.
Voter registration and biometric data capture activities are projected to cost Ksh2 billion as the commission aims to register new voters and update its electoral database prior to the election.
To facilitate voting and vote management processes, the IEBC plans to spend Ksh5.7 billion on recruiting and compensating temporary election officials who will be deployed throughout the country.
Furthermore, Ksh400 million has been reserved for auditing the voters’ register, an exercise deemed crucial for enhancing the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.
The commission is also seeking Ksh438 million to acquire vehicles that will support election operations, especially in remote and inaccessible areas.
Logistics represents one of the largest expenditures in election costs, with Ksh1.5 billion allocated for transporting election materials and personnel before, during, and after polling day.
Additionally, the IEBC has set aside Ksh1.7 billion for public communication and civic engagement initiatives focused on educating voters, countering misinformation, and boosting public participation in the electoral process.
The latest budget request represents a substantial increase from the commission’s earlier projections. In February 2025, the IEBC had estimated that preparations for the