The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has presented its proposed budget for the 2027 General Election before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of Kenya, revealing multi-billion shilling allocations that sparked tough questions from lawmakers.
KSh1.1 Billion for Meals on Election Day
Among the most debated items was a request for KSh1.1 billion to cater for meals for poll officials on election day.
However, the IEBC did not provide a detailed breakdown of the type of meals or how the figure was arrived at, prompting concern from Members of Parliament over the high allocation.
Printing Ballot Papers to Cost KSh5.9 Billion
The commission also projected KSh5.9 billion for printing ballot papers, one of the largest cost components in the proposed 2027 elections budget.
Transport and logistics expenses also drew scrutiny, with KSh3 billion allocated for transport and a further KSh4.9 billion set aside for election materials logistics.
Billions for Technology and Results Transmission
IEBC told lawmakers it requires:
- KSh1 billion for results transmission
- KSh3.9 billion for systems upgrade
- KSh6.2 billion to replace KIEMS kits
The commission plans to replace 45,352 KIEMS kits ahead of the 2027 polls, despite indicating that a total of 59,352 kits will be required for the election.
Other Key Allocations
Additional budget lines presented to MPs include:
- KSh776 million for hiring tents and sound systems at polling stations and tallying centres
- KSh560 million for party primaries
- KSh500 million to audit the voter register
- KSh305 million for bulk SMS communication
The electoral body urged lawmakers to approve the proposed budget, stating that the funding is necessary to ensure a smooth, credible, and technologically efficient 2027 General Election.
The presentation comes as preparations begin early for the next national polls, with Parliament expected to scrutinize the figures before granting approval.
