IEBC Chair Warns Budget Cuts Could Undermine 2027 General Elections
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has raised concerns that insufficient funding could compromise the smooth conduct of Kenya’s 2027 General Elections.
Speaking in an interview with KBC on Tuesday, November 18, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the commission’s proposed Ksh61 billion budget for the upcoming polls was slashed by Parliament, a move that could hinder the body’s ability to manage the election effectively.
“Reducing the resources we need will definitely have a big impact on the elections,” Ethekon said. “When you look at the breakdown of the budget, a huge part of it was dedicated to the deployment of the personnel who will oversee the elections. If you reduce the budget, it will affect the level of deployment.”
The IEBC estimates that about 53 percent of the election budget is allocated to the deployment of officers. During the 2022 General Elections, more than 500,000 staff members were deployed nationwide, according to Ethekon. He warned that budget cuts would force the commission to reduce personnel at polling stations and at the national tallying centre, potentially undermining the integrity of the process.
Ethekon further highlighted the heavy reliance on technology for the upcoming polls. The Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS), which underpins the election process, could also be affected by funding shortfalls. KIEMS integrates key components such as Biometric Voter Registration (BVR), Electronic Voter Identification (EVID), and the Electronic Results Transmission System (ERTS).
“Our elections are largely technology-driven. The kits that we bought for the 2013 and 2017 elections, some became obsolete, and so we need to buy new kits with more advanced technology,” Ethekon explained.
The IEBC Chair also expressed concern over recent legal changes that transferred prosecutorial powers for election offences from the commission to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (ODPP). He argued that the shift may erode public confidence in the electoral process.
“Under the Election Offenses Act, IEBC previously had the power to prosecute, and it worked efficiently because accountability was directly enforced,” Ethekon said. “However, after legal changes, the ODPP now handles these cases. This puts us at a disadvantage, as most cases remain unsolved, potentially giving Kenyans the impression of impunity.”
Preparations for the 2027 polls are already underway. The IEBC is currently conducting Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to ensure citizens are able to participate in the elections. Kenyans have been urged to visit the nearest IEBC offices to register as voters. However, registration has been temporarily suspended in areas scheduled for by-elections on November 27.
The commission’s warnings come amid growing concerns over funding adequacy and public trust, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead as Kenya gears up for one of its most technologically advanced elections to date.
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IEBC Chair Warns Budget Cuts Could Undermine 2027 General Elections