IEBC’s Chairperson of the Election Operations Committee, Ann Nderitu, has revealed that Kenya’s ballot papers carry more security features than the country’s banknotes.

Speaking during a television interview on Thursday, November 20, 2025, Nderitu said Kenya’s ballots are nothing like those used in many other countries, where papers often resemble supermarket receipts.

“Look at our ballot paper, for instance… In other jurisdictions… a ballot paper is printed in the polling station with a normal printer… some of them looking just like supermarket receipts… No security features. In Kenya, we have a ballot paper that has more security features than the money.”

Nderitu also addressed the cost of the upcoming by-elections and the wider challenge of maintaining public trust.

“This by-election is costing us around 700 million,” she said.

When asked if the figure applied to 25 by-elections, she corrected the number.

“First of all, they are not 25… Currently we shall hold 22 by-elections. Originally they are 24… we have two wards that have gone without contest… so that’s why it reduces us.”

Nderitu said the total cost stands at Ksh788 million, mainly driven by personnel and logistics.

“Across all that, the greatest cost drivers actually are electoral officials. The payment of electoral officials, forms and the logistics of transport… Logistics and electoral officials carry the heaviest burdens, including training… and then knowing how the materials will reach every polling station.”

She highlighted the difficulties of moving materials in counties such as Baringo, Turkana and Mandera.

“You can imagine the logistic nightmare… For some areas, we might have to use flights to take the ballot papers… especially in the far-flung… like Banisa… and another one in Turkana. It’s safer when you now take a flight and take the ballots.”

She added that materials such as seals, stamps and indelible ink form the next major cost.

Responding to concerns that Kenya runs one of the most expensive elections in the world, she said the issue is trust.

“I think why our elections are expensive is that apart from managing elections, IEBC has a huge responsibility of managing trust of Kenyans. We live in a country where trusting even your neighbour… the eight-figure cannot trust their neighbours.”

IEBC receives first batch of ballot papers

Earlier on Thursday morning, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon received the first batch of ballot papers and statutory forms for the 27 November by-elections. Ten pallets arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at dawn, with another 29 expected at 7:30 pm.

Ethekon said IEBC has trained and deployed all its personnel.

“We’ve made all the preparations… and now we’ve procured the materials. And as you can see, the ballot papers have arrived.”

The ballot papers were printed in Athens, Greece, by Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA at a cost of KSh27 million. IEBC invited all 51 political parties to witness the arrival to ensure transparency.

The by-elections will fill seats in Baringo, Banisa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, Ugunja, and several wards in more than ten counties. Materials for remote areas such as Banisa and Mandera will be airlifted, while others will be transported by road under security escort.