The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has introduced a proposed campaign spending limit of Sh4.44 billion for presidential candidates.
As part of a comprehensive reform initiative aimed at regulating campaign financing ahead of the 2027 General Election, the commission has set a cap of Sh17.7 billion on expenditures by political parties.
These proposed limits, detailed in the draft Election Campaign Finance Regulations, will undergo public consultation before being submitted to Parliament for approval.
The commission encourages Parliament to finalize these reforms by the end of August, providing the electoral body with approximately one year to prepare for the upcoming August 2027 General Election.
According to the IEBC, these proposals aim to implement the Election Campaign Finance Act and foster a more equitable electoral landscape by regulating campaign spending across all elective positions.
Under this proposed framework, the total spending limits for various elective positions include Sh5.63 billion for ward elections, Sh5.26 billion for constituency elections, and Sh2.39 billion for county elections.
The commission determined these figures by estimating average campaign costs at different levels through discussions with stakeholders and by analyzing campaign financing practices from other regions.
To establish the expenditure ceilings, the IEBC categorized electoral areas into urban, sparsely populated, and other types.
A formula was then applied, assigning a 60% weight to population and 40% to land area, in line with Section 18(4) of the Election Campaign Finance Act.
These proposals recognize the elevated costs associated with campaigning in larger geographical counties.
If approved, candidates aiming for governor, senator, and woman representative positions in remote counties like Turkana will have the highest spending cap of Sh123 million.
In contrast, candidates in Nairobi will face a spending limit of up to Sh117.3 million, while those in Marsabit and Wajir will be allowed to spend up to Sh114 million and Sh113.8 million, respectively.
The commission also suggested different expenditure ceilings for parliamentary races based on constituency size and characteristics.
For instance, North Horr Constituency in Marsabit County would have a high campaign spending limit of Sh94 million due to its vast geography, while Tetu Constituency in Nyeri County would be capped at Sh11.2 million.
Kilgoris Constituency in Narok County would face a limit of Sh22.4 million, and Kibra Constituency in Nairobi would be set at Sh14.5 million.
The IEBC outlined key areas where candidates and political parties are likely to incur campaign expenses.
Transportation is projected to be the largest share of campaign expenditure for political parties, estimated at Sh11.81 billion.
Advertising and media campaigns are expected to account for Sh1.84 billion, while election agent payments are projected at Sh1.52 billion.
Other significant costs identified by the commission include branding, campaign materials, and logistical support.
The proposed limits aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in campaign financing, while also preventing excessive spending that could compromise the integrity of elections.
These proposals are part of a broader package of electoral reforms that the IEBC has actively pursued in collaboration with Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee since the beginning of the year, as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
The campaign finance rules also strive to fully implement the Election Campaign Finance Act, enacted in 2013 but never fully executed.
