𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚’𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐈𝐄𝐁𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝-𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟔𝟏 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭!

The upcoming 2027 general election in Kenya has already sparked discussions and debates, especially with the recent announcement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) that they will need a budget of 61 billion shillings to conduct the election. This figure represents a significant increase of 16 billion shillings from the cost of the previous election in 2022.

During a recent appearance before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, IEBC deputy CEO Obadiah Keitany revealed that the commission aims to register close to six million new voters in the next two years. This increase in voter registration has been cited as one of the reasons for the higher budget allocation for the upcoming election.

However, the request for an additional 16 billion shillings has not been without controversy. Some legislators have raised concerns and questions about the motives behind the increased budget, especially regarding the need for such a substantial amount of funding.

Despite the explanations provided by IEBC, doubts still linger among some members of the committee.One of the key issues that have been raised is the overhaul of the over 45,000 kits that were purchased by the commission approximately a decade ago. The committee, chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara, has questioned the necessity of this overhaul and whether it is a justifiable expense given the current economic climate.

Furthermore, there have been concerns about the stagnation of continuous voter registration over the past two years. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of the voter registration process and whether it is reaching all eligible voters in the country.As the discussions around the budget for the 2027 election continue, it is clear that transparency and accountability will be key in ensuring that the funds are used efficiently and effectively.

The IEBC will need to address the concerns raised by legislators and the public to build trust and confidence in the electoral process. Ultimately, the goal is to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election that reflects the will of the Kenyan people.