Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has revived its plan to regulate campaign financing by publishing draft regulations aimed at capping campaign spending by candidates and political parties ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
In the draft regulations published on Monday, July 6, 2026, the commission proposes that presidential candidates be allowed to spend a maximum of KSh 4.44 billion on their campaigns, while political parties would be capped at KSh 17.7 billion.
Under the proposals, candidates for governor, senator, and county woman representative would be permitted to spend between KSh 12.3 million and KSh 123 million, depending on the size and population of their respective counties.
Parliamentary candidates would be allowed to spend between KSh 17.5 million and KSh 123 million, while candidates contesting seats in county assemblies would have spending limits ranging from KSh 2.5 million to KSh 20 million, based on the size and population of their wards.
This marks the second attempt by the IEBC to regulate campaign spending after similar efforts in 2016 failed.
At the time, Parliament suspended the implementation of the regulations by amending the Election Campaign Financing Act and postponing its enforcement until after the 2017 General Election.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the proposed regulations are intended to strengthen accountability and transparency in the management of campaign finances.
“These regulations are designed to enhance accountability in the management of campaign finances for both candidates and political parties,” Ethekon said.
He noted that the Election Campaign Financing Act of 2013 gives the IEBC the legal authority to set limits on campaign contributions and expenditure, as well as oversee accountability in campaign financing.
The commission has invited Kenyans to submit their views on the draft regulations by July 15, 2026, before the rules are finalized.
At the same time, the IEBC reminded stakeholders of the key milestones in preparations for the 2027 General Election.
According to the electoral timetable, public officers intending to contest elective positions must resign from their offices by February 9, 2027, six months before the election.
Political parties will be required to submit their membership registers and the names of aspirants seeking nomination by March 16, 2027, with party primaries expected to be concluded by May 9, 2027.
The official nomination of party candidates and independent candidates will take place between May 29 and June 11, 2027, while all nomination-related disputes must be filed with the IEBC by June 12, 2027.
The commission’s proposal comes at a time when many politicians have been spending billions of shillings on public empowerment programmes and community initiatives, activities that have widely been interpreted as early campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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