The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has opened public participation on regulations that will govern campaign financing for the 2027 General Election.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 8, IEBC said the proposals are anchored in Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution, which mandates the Commission to regulate the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or party in respect of any election.
The Commission says it wants views from citizens, political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders before finalizing the rules that will dictate how much candidates and parties can spend, where the money can come from, and how it should be reported.
"The Election Campaign Financing Act, Cap 7A, provides for the regulation, management, expenditure and accountability of campaign funds, with candidates and parties self-regulating under IEBC oversight," the Commission said in a public notice issued by Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon.
The Commission explained that Section 29 of the Act empowers it to issue regulations governing campaign expenditure, contributions, disclosures, monitoring, record-keeping and other related matters.
It added that Sections 12, 18 and 19 of the Act require it to prescribe campaign contribution limits, spending caps and authorised expenditures through a Gazette notice at least 12 months before a General Election.
IEBC said it has already developed the draft regulations, campaign contribution framework, authorised expenditures and spending limits for the 2027 General Election and is now seeking public input before finalising the proposals.
The draft regulations and proposed spending limits have been published on the Commission's website for public review. Memoranda and submissions may be sent via email to lpa@iebc.or.ke or delivered by hand to the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers, Ground Floor, or to any IEBC office across the country.
"The IEBC invites the public to submit memoranda on the Draft Regulations and the Contribution and Spending limits on or before 15th July 2026," the Commission said.
The new regulations, once finalized, will be the legal framework IEBC uses to monitor and audit campaign money in the 2027 polls.
Campaign financing has been one of the most contentious issues in past elections, with concerns over excessive spending, use of illicit funds, and lack of accountability.
