IEBC Proposes Campaign Finance Limits for 2027 Kenyan Election

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has proposed the Draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026, to govern Kenya's 2027 General Election. The framework seeks to operationalize the Election Campaign Financing Act of 2013, which remained stalled after Parliament annulled previous attempts to implement similar rules for the 2017 and 2022 elections.

Under the proposed rules, all political parties and candidates must use designated bank accounts for all campaign income and expenditures. The regulations would require the appointment of registered campaign finance managers, stricter auditing, and the establishment of specific contribution and spending limits. These measures follow a High Court directive affirming the commission's mandate to set spending caps through public engagement.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon stated that the reforms are intended to ensure electoral outcomes are determined by the will of the people rather than the influence of financial resources. During public participation forums, Ethekon also dismissed reports that the commission intended to stop the live-streaming of election results.

The commission is currently reviewing stakeholder feedback and expects to submit the consolidated draft to Parliament's Committee on Delegated Legislation in August 2026. The goal is to gazette the regulations by the end of the month to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.