Kenya is preparing for what could become its most expensive general election ever after Parliament’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) approved an additional Ksh33 billion for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), raising the commission’s projected election budget to about Ksh74.8 billion.

The approval comes about 14 months before the 2027 General Election and clears the way for a fresh multibillion-shilling investment in election technology, particularly the replacement of Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits used for voter identification and electronic transmission of results.

The Treasury had initially allocated the IEBC Ksh41.3 billion, leaving a shortfall of more than Ksh33 billion against the commission’s projected budget. The Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara-led JLAC approved the entire additional allocation, paving the way for election preparations to begin over two financial years starting July 1, 2026.

Part of the approved funds includes Ksh9.3 billion for the purchase of new Kiems kits, pushing the election technology budget to more than Ksh10 billion. The IEBC says it plans to replace 45,353 kits purchased in 2017 while reusing about 14,000 devices acquired ahead of the 2022 election.

According to the commission, Kenya requires a total of 59,352 KIEMS kits for the 2027 elections, including 55,393 for polling stations and 3,959 for training purposes. The commission argues that the ageing devices face battery degradation, outdated software systems and expired manufacturer support, which could compromise the integrity of the election if they are retained.

IEBC commissioner Francis Aduol told lawmakers during budget hearings that relying on ageing technology in a politically sensitive election posed significant risks. He also warned of potential integration challenges if the commission procures systems from a new supplier through an open tender process.

“We are not sure we are going to use Smartmatic. We are going to open this for tender, and we foresee a challenge of integrating the new and old systems,” Aduol told MPs.

“If we find we cannot use them with the new vendor, we can use them for voter registration. The challenge is how we integrate the two. Hence, we want a full new set.”

Rising election costs and scrutiny

The approval marks a significant shift from lawmakers’ earlier criticism of the IEBC over the repeated replacement of election technology every election cycle.

Only days earlier, MPs had questioned why Kenya continues to spend billions replacing KIEMS kits despite previous assurances that many of the devices were still functional. Ahead of the 2022 election, the IEBC spent Ksh4.2 billion on election technology, including 14,100 new kits supplied by election technology firm Smartmatic.

At the time, the commission maintained that more than 41,000 older kits remained operational.

Lawmakers also raised concerns over changing budget estimates after the projected election budget reportedly increased from Ksh61 billion to Ksh74.8 billion within weeks.

Some MPs questioned the projected unit cost of the KIEMS devices, arguing that the figures appeared significantly higher than expected.

Initially, lawmakers had demanded an independent audit of the existing kits before approving fresh procurement, questioning how the commission could declare the devices obsolete before tabling a technical assessment report.

The additional funding approved by JLAC will also support other election operations, including Ksh2.7 billion for ballot papers and statutory forms, Ksh2.7 billion for voter registration and biometric verification, and Ksh5.2 billion for hiring temporary election officials such as clerks and presiding officers.

Another Ksh1.5 billion has been allocated for transport and field mobility, while Ksh1.7 billion will go toward public communication and civic engagement.

Kenya’s election costs have risen sharply over the past three election cycles. The 2013 General Election, the first under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, cost taxpayers about Ksh25 billion following the introduction of biometric voter registration systems.

In 2017, election spending nearly doubled to about Ksh49.9 billion as the country expanded biometric systems and electronic results transmission, although the presidential election was later nullified by the Supreme Court.

The 2022 election cost approximately Ksh44.6 billion despite the reuse of some election infrastructure and technology. If the IEBC’s current projections are fully approved, the 2027 election will become the most expensive in Kenya’s history.

Audit concerns and accountability questions

The debate over election technology spending has also been fuelled by audit concerns surrounding KIEM’s kits purchased using public funds.

A 2024 report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed that more than 3,400 KIEMS kits were faulty, while hundreds were reported to have gone missing after the 2017 and 2022 elections.

Some devices were reported lost, damaged during unrest or found missing critical components such as hard disks.

The findings intensified concerns over inventory management and accountability within the electoral commission, with critics arguing that the repeated replacement of election technology has created a costly cycle that benefits suppliers while burdening taxpayers.

Elections Observation Group national coordinator Mule Musau has previously argued that a more transparent procurement process could help Kenya obtain durable and scalable election technology at a lower cost.

“My issue is always with the cost and transparency of the process,” Musau said recently. “We can get good, long-lasting and scalable equipment when there is openness.”

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has also warned that the cost of elections in Kenya is becoming financially unsustainable.

The proposed budget is still expected to face scrutiny from Parliament’s Budget Committee, chaired by Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi, due to the scale of additional funding required.

Despite the concerns, lawmakers ultimately backed the IEBC’s request, saying the country could not afford to compromise election preparedness.

Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Gitonga Murugara said Parliament would continue scrutinising how the commission spends public funds.

“We can’t take public money and just approve without checks,” Murugara said.