IEBC Requests Ksh74 Billion Budget for 2027 General Election Preparations

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed a budget of approximately Ksh74 billion to the National Treasury to support preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Commissioner Dr Ann Nderitu explained that the budget aligns with legal requirements and addresses key expenditure areas such as election technology upgrades and ballot paper procurement.

Key Cost Drivers

• Election Technology: The commission plans to invest about Ksh10 billion in new technology, including replacing older Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits and acquiring new hardware to enhance voter identification and electronic transmission of results.
• Ballot Papers: Estimated at around Ksh6.8 billion, reflecting the growing number of registered voters.
• Voter Register Size: The largest cost driver, as increasing voter numbers directly impact logistical needs such as polling stations, personnel, and materials.

Rising Voter Numbers and Infrastructure Expansion

IEBC anticipates registering an additional 5.7 million voters ahead of the 2027 polls, which will increase the number of polling stations from 46,229 in 2022 to 55,393. This expansion aims to accommodate the growing electorate and improve voter access.

Funding Challenges

The Ksh74 billion budget proposal highlights a significant funding gap. Previous budget frameworks showed a shortfall ranging from Ksh22.94 billion to over Ksh33 billion compared to allocations by the National Treasury. This gap poses risks to timely procurement, voter registration, education, election security, and staff training.

As the 2027 election approaches, IEBC emphasizes the need for adequate and prompt funding to ensure smooth management of the increasingly large voter base and the associated electoral processes.