The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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In a major move to curb excessive spending and level the playing field, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed a Sh4.44 billion campaign spending limit for presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The proposal is part of the draft Election Campaign Finance Regulations, which also slaps a Sh17.7 billion expenditure ceiling on political parties. The commission is now pushing Parliament to fast-track the approval of these reforms by the end of August, giving the electoral body a clear one-year runway to prepare for the August 2027 polls.
A Formula-Driven Crackdown on Campaign Cash
To bring sanity to election financing, the IEBC’s proposed framework outlines spending caps across all elective tiers, totaling:
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Ward elections: Sh5.63 billion
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Constituency elections: Sh5.26 billion
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County elections: Sh2.39 billion
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rule, the commission engineered a formula that weighs population at 60% and land area at 40%, in compliance with the Election Campaign Finance Act.
By classifying electoral areas into urban, sparsely populated, and other distinct categories, the IEBC intends to accommodate the steep logistical costs of campaigning across vast geographical terrains.
Vast Counties, Big Budgets
Under the new guidelines, candidates running for Governor, Senator, and Woman Representative in expansive, far-flung counties will be permitted the highest spending limits.
| County | Proposed Spending Limit |
| Turkana | Sh123 million |
| Nairobi | Sh117.3 million |
| Marsabit | Sh114 million |
| Wajir | Sh113.8 million |
A similar geographical disparity applies to parliamentary races. For instance, a candidate running in the vast North Horr Constituency (Marsabit County) will be allowed to spend up to Sh94 million. Meanwhile, candidates in smaller or more compact constituencies face much tighter caps, such as Sh22.4 million in Kilgoris, Sh14.5 million in Kibra, and just Sh11.2 million in Tetu.
Where the Money Goes
The IEBC also shed light on where political parties burn through the most cash. According to the commission’s projections, transportation eats up the lion’s share of party budgets, estimated at a staggering Sh11.81 billion.
Other major projected expenses include:
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Advertising and Media Campaigns: Sh1.84 billion
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Election Agents’ Pay: Sh1.52 billion
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Branding, Materials, and Logistics: (Remaining balance)
Breathing Life Into Dead Law
“The proposed limits are intended to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in campaign financing while preventing excessive spending that could undermine the integrity of elections,” the IEBC stated.
The draft regulations are the result of a collaborative effort between the IEBC and Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, which has been underway since the beginning of the year.
If passed, these rules will finally operationalize the Election Campaign Finance Act. Although the Act was enacted over a decade ago in 2013, it has never been fully implemented. The draft proposals will now go through a phase of public participation before being tabled in Parliament for final approval.
