Nairobi – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is requesting an additional Sh13 billion for its 2026/27 budget, which has led to intense questioning by members of parliament. The commission, responsible for overseeing Kenya’s electoral processes, informed the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that this extra funding is necessary to expand polling infrastructure, enhance diaspora voting, and replace outdated election technology in preparation for the next general election.
The commissioners explained that the proposed budget would increase to Sh74.8 billion, up from the Sh61.7 billion requested in the previous cycle. A significant factor driving this increase is the plan to raise the number of polling stations from approximately 46,000, used in the 2022 election, to nearly 55,000 by 2027. This expansion aims to accommodate an anticipated rise in the voter register to about 28.5 million, compared to 22.1 million in 2022, while maintaining an average of around 500 voters per station.
Additionally, the commission highlighted a recent voter-registration drive that successfully added 2.6 million new voters, bringing the total number of registered Kenyans closer to the projected figure. The IEBC is also seeking funds to improve the diaspora voting program, as approximately 1.4 million Kenyans reside abroad, with over 700,000 already registered with Kenyan missions. Currently, voting is restricted to embassy premises in 12 countries, which the commission argues limits participation. To address this, they are requesting legislative changes to allow for more polling sites in countries with significant Kenyan communities, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and other East African states.
Another contentious issue is the procurement of new election technology kits. The existing Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) consists of more than 41,000 units that are now over a decade old. Commissioners expressed concerns that the age of the equipment poses reliability risks and emphasized that a new, fully integrated system would mitigate compatibility issues and support future elections. They cautioned that the procurement, testing, and simulation phases must be completed at least 60 days before the election date, leaving little room for delays.
Parliamentarians voiced concerns regarding the commission’s spending record and the slow progress of pending legislation, questioning the need for additional resources when current expenditures are relatively modest. The IEBC responded by stating that some activities have been delayed due to dependencies on other government agencies, particularly the ICT Authority’s audit of the existing kits. They also noted a decline in donor contributions and mentioned ongoing negotiations for a basket-funding arrangement with United Nations agencies and development partners to support election preparations.
Commissioners maintained that the revised budget is crucial to fulfilling constitutional obligations and ensuring credible, inclusive elections. The committee will continue to scrutinize the proposal before any approval is granted.
