The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has invited Kenyans to submit views on proposed Election Campaign Financing Regulations and draft campaign spending limits for the 2027 General Election, as it moves to operationalise laws governing campaign financing.

In a public notice issued by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, the Commission said the Constitution mandates it to regulate the amount of money that may be spent by candidates and political parties during elections.

“The Constitution of Kenya (2010), under Article 88(4)(i), mandates the Independent Electoral and Boundaries 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 notice states.

IEBC said the Election Campaign Financing Act provides the legal framework for regulating, managing and accounting for campaign funds, with candidates and political parties expected to self-regulate under the Commission’s oversight.

The Commission noted that Sections 12, 18 and 19 of the Act require it to prescribe campaign contribution limits, spending ceilings and authorised expenditures at least 12 months before a General Election.

“Pursuant to Sections 12, 18 and 19 of the Act, the Commission, in readiness for the 2027 General Election, has developed the Draft Regulations, Contributions, Authorised Expenditures and Spending Limits,” IEBC said.

Under the draft proposals, presidential candidates would be allowed to spend up to KSh4.435 billion, while political parties would have an overall campaign expenditure ceiling of KSh17.71 billion. The framework also proposes spending limits for county, constituency and ward elections, with individual caps varying depending on factors such as population, geographical size and terrain.

IEBC has asked political parties, stakeholders and members of the public to submit memoranda on the draft regulations and proposed spending limits on or before July 15, 2026.

“The draft regulations and spending limits are available on the Commission’s website. Memoranda and submissions may be sent to [email protected] or hand-delivered at the Customer Experience Centre, Anniversary Towers, Ground Floor, and any Commission office across the country,” the Commission said.

The proposals form part of preparations for the 2027 General Election and seek to enhance transparency, accountability and oversight in election campaign financing. If adopted, the regulations will provide the legal framework for campaign contributions, expenditure, disclosures, record-keeping and monitoring ahead of the polls.

The draft documents are available on the Commission’s website: https://bit.ly/4eQWFQE