The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is intensifying preparations for the 2027 General Election, defending its Ksh61.7 billion budget before Parliament as scrutiny grows over funding, operational readiness, and electoral credibility.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the commission, led by Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC), chaired by George Gitonga Murugara.

The session focused on the 2027 General Election budget, implementation status of the FY 2025/26 allocation, ongoing projects, proposed initiatives, and pending financial obligations.

Vice Chairperson Abdallah told the committee that credible elections require more than ballot papers.

“Credible elections require more than ballot papers,” she said, highlighting logistics, ICT systems, transport arrangements, ballot boxes, and operational services as core components of election delivery.

She also emphasised stakeholder engagement with youth, persons with disabilities, marginalised communities, and constituency-based groups as part of national preparedness.

The Commission confirmed that simulation exercises and election technology testing have been factored into the budget to ensure operational readiness ahead of the polls.

Voter registration expansion, technology upgrades

IEBC outlined several planned activities under its election roadmap. These include Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (Phase Two), expansion of diaspora voter registration to additional countries, procurement of more Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits, and geospatial mapping of new polling stations.

The Commission plans to gazette 55,393 polling stations, up from 46,229 in the 2022 General Election, in response to the growing voter register. It is also seeking Ksh7 billion to replace ageing KIEMS kits procured in 2017, while retaining only 14,000 units acquired in 2022.

The total Ksh61.74 billion budget is structured across three financial years. Ksh15.3 billion is allocated for the 2025/26 financial year for pre-election activities such as voter registration and technology procurement. Ksh25.4 billion is set for 2026/27, while Ksh21 billion is projected for 2027/28, covering the election year and immediate post-election processes.

The plan builds on an earlier Ksh55 billion projection presented in March 2025, which indicated a Ksh6.7 billion deficit and Ksh3.827 billion in pending bills. IEBC also aims to register an additional 5.7 million voters, with a focus on youth participation.

Parliament pushes for timelines, reforms and accountability in electoral preparations

Members of the JLAC committee urged the IEBC to provide clear electoral timelines and accelerate implementation of reforms to ensure preparedness for the 2027 polls. Concerns were raised on cost efficiency, procurement processes, and value for public expenditure.

In response, the Commission stated that all timelines have been incorporated into its Electoral Operations Plan and Strategic Plan, which are scheduled for launch in June 2026 following stakeholder validation.

The committee assured IEBC of parliamentary support while stressing the need for accountability and efficient use of allocated funds. The engagement forms part of ongoing parliamentary oversight of electoral preparedness as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election cycle.