The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted new campaign financing regulations ahead of the 2027 General Election, setting the maximum expenditure for a presidential candidate at Ksh6.11 billion.
In a notice published in a special Kenya Gazette dated Friday, August 7, the commission set out spending and contribution limits for candidates and political parties under the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, and the Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026. The expenditure period covers at least six months before the election, set for August 10, 2027, and runs until fourteen days after the polls.
IEBC said the limits were calculated using a formula weighted 70 per cent on population and 30 per cent on land area. Kenya’s population was listed at approximately 47,564,296 across 581,307 square kilometres.
At the county level, Nairobi County recorded the highest spending limit for Governor, Senate and Woman Representative candidates at Ksh181.3 million, followed by Turkana at Ksh142.07 million and Marsabit at Ksh127.02 million. Lamu had the lowest limit at Ksh28.69 million.
For National Assembly seats, North Horr constituency in Marsabit County topped the list with a Ksh100.4 million limit, while Wundanyi in Taita Taveta had the lowest at Ksh15.4 million. At ward level, Turbi in Marsabit led with Ksh22.09 million, with Ziwani/Kariokor in Nairobi among the lowest at Ksh3.63 million.
Political parties were assigned a combined ceiling of Ksh24.45 billion, with transportation taking the largest share at Ksh16.13 billion, followed by advertising and media at Ksh2.52 billion and election agents at Ksh2.08 billion.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the limits were designed to safeguard fairness in the electoral process.
“The prescribed Contribution and Spending Limits are intended to promote a level playing field,” Ethekon said.
He urged all candidates, political parties and donors to comply with the reporting and disclosure requirements under the new framework. The commission also capped single-source contributions at 20 per cent of the total allowed under the relevant schedules, warning that candidates who exceed spending limits without reporting the breach risk a fine of up to Ksh2 million, five years in prison, or both.
The announcement comes days after IEBC appointed Ruth Kulundu as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Commission, a move aimed at ensuring continuity as the electoral body ramps up preparations for next year’s polls.
