IEBC seeks Ksh.63B for 2027 General Election, Ksh.1.1B allocated for meals

The lawmakers were shocked by a request of over Ksh.1 billion for meals alone, in what they say amounts to an expensive election. IEBC stated that it requires Ksh.63.9 billion for the 2027 General Election.

Appearing before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, the IEBC presented the 2027 general elections budget that contained shocking details.

IEBC told the Parliamentary committee to approve Ksh.1.1 billion for meals on election day. IEBC did not, however, break down the nature of meals it will be serving to its poll officials that would amount to the staggering figure.

Other than printing ballot papers at a cost of Ksh.5.9 billion, MPs questioned a cost line for transport, which, according to the budget, would cost Ksh.3 billion, and another Ksh.4.9 billion for election materials logistics.

IEBC told the lawmakers that it requires Ksh.1 billion for results transmission, Ksh.3.9 billion for systems upgrade, and Ksh.6.2 billion to replace KIEMS kits.

IEBC intends to replace 45,352 KIEMS kits in an election that requires 59,352 KIEMS kits.

On election day, IEBC says it requires Ksh.776 million to hire tents and sound systems for various polling stations and centres. Ksh.560 million has been allocated for party primaries, while Ksh.500 million is to be used to audit the voter register. IEBC has also planned to spend Ksh.305 million for bulk SMS.

The electoral body told MPs to approve the budget to enable the commission to deliver a smooth general election.