The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has revealed plans to acquire new Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits ahead of 2027 polls.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Departmental Committee on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the commission led by Deputy Commission Secretary for Support Services Obadiah Keitany announced that they were planning to replace the 45,352 KIEMS kits currently in use that were bought in 2017.

The Commission appeared before the committee to consider the 2025 Budget Policy Statement worth Ksh55 billion as a baseline assumption to be used in the preparation of the 2027 General Election.

The Commission has an overall deficit of Ksh6.7 billion, with pending bills standing at Ksh3.827 billion.

The commission projects to register additional 5.7 million new voters, majority being youth who have attained the age of majority.

“In preparation of the 2027 General Election, the Commission projects to gazette 55,393 polling stations up from 46,229 in 2022 and procure KIEMS kits worth Ksh7 billion to replace the 45,352 currently in use that were bought in 2017. Only the 14,000 KIEMS kits purchased in 2022 will be retained,” IEBC stated.

According to Keitany, the Commission would like the General Election budget to be funded over the three Financial Years starting from 2025/26 to cater for pre-election activities like voter registration and acquisition of the election technology software and hardware.

“IEBC Kenya is expected to conduct by-elections upon the reconstitution of the Commission, and will request for resources to conduct the exercise. Currently, there are 14 vacant positions being Senator (1), Member of National Assembly (4) and Member of County Assembly Ward (9),” Keitany said.