The clock is ticking for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which must raise billions of shillings to bridge a funding gap ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The electoral agency requires Sh74.4 billion to prepare for and conduct the polls, but the National Treasury has committed only about Sh41 billion for the electioneering period, leaving a gap of nearly Sh34 billion.
The shortage comes as IEBC moves into a critical phase of preparations, with plans to purchase election technology, register more voters, conduct voter education and put in place the logistics needed for the polls.
The commission presented its Sh74.4 billion requirement to the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, which approved the proposed budget.
IEBC expected the money to be available by June 2027, giving it enough time to complete preparations before Kenyans go to the ballot.
But figures contained in the Draft 2026 Budget Review and Outlook Paper show that Treasury has planned to provide Sh16.4 billion to IEBC in the 2027-28 financial year and a further Sh29.2 billion in the following financial year.
The commission has also been allocated Sh24.9 billion in the current financial year.
Combined, the three allocations come to Sh70.5 billion. This remains Sh3.9 billion below the Sh74.4 billion that IEBC says it needs for the election.
The funding position could force the commission to return to Parliament for more money as it seeks to complete activities that cannot be left until the last minute.
IEBC has said it needs funds early because the election involves major purchases and preparations that must be completed before voting begins.
These include buying election materials, preparing and testing technology and recruiting and training temporary staff who will work during the election.
“Timely funding is critical to the electoral process and we must strive to ensure there is no delay, and no accumulation of pending bills,” Elog National Coordinator Mule Musau said Thursday.
Among the biggest planned expenses is the replacement of ageing Kenya Integrated Election Management System kits.
IEBC wants to replace all 45,353 KIEMS kits bought in 2017. The commission plans to retain and use the 14,000 kits purchased in 2022 during the 2027 election.
The agency told MPs that it will need 59,352 KIEMS kits altogether. A total of 55,393 kits will be required for polling stations, while another 3,959 will be used for training.
The plan to retire the older equipment has, however, been left hanging because of the uncertainty surrounding the funding required for the replacement.
IEBC has placed the cost of the new KIEMS kits at Sh9.3 billion.
The commission also requires Sh2.7 billion for ballot papers and statutory forms, while another Sh2.7 billion has been set aside for voter registration and biometric verification.
A further Sh5.2 billion will be needed to bring on board temporary election workers, including clerks, presiding officers and other officials who will serve at polling stations.
Transport and field mobility will take Sh1.5 billion, according to the budget presented to MPs.
IEBC has also sought an additional Sh1.7 billion for public communication and citizen engagement, including activities aimed at preparing voters for the election.
With Treasury’s projected funding still below the commission’s needs, Parliament now faces pressure to secure additional money for IEBC.
The agency’s preparations include several activities that require early funding, meaning delays in releasing money could affect the timetable for acquiring equipment, registering voters, training personnel and organising the election.
The funding challenge therefore leaves IEBC working against time to secure the resources it says are necessary to deliver the 2027 General Election.