The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has begun drawing up its spending plan for the next three years, with electoral operations and voter education set to take priority as the 2027 General Election draws closer.
The Commission is holding a workshop to develop its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the financial years 2027/28, 2028/29 and 2029/30.
But the exercise comes at a critical moment for the electoral agency, which has less than a year to prepare for the next General Election.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, Commissioner Prof Francis Aduol said the Commission must ensure its limited resources are directed towards activities that have a direct bearing on the credibility of the election.
“Our first priority must therefore be electoral operations and voter education,” Prof Aduol said.
He listed ICT systems and infrastructure, personnel, logistics, voter registration, technology, voter education, results management, security coordination and training among the areas that should receive priority.
Prof Aduol said the Commission should adopt an “inverted-pyramid” approach to budgeting, with the most critical electoral activities receiving resources before less essential programmes.
“The General Election is now less than one year away, making every decision, resource and day critical to the Commission’s preparedness,” he said.
The comments signal the growing pressure on the IEBC to ensure that logistical and technological preparations are completed in good time, amid competing demands on public finances.
The Commission has been urged to strike a balance between the resources required to conduct the election and the country's constrained fiscal position.
Prof Aduol called for realistic costing, measurable outcomes, efficiency and value for money, warning against unnecessary expenditure and duplication.
He said the Commission would continue engaging the National Treasury, Parliament and development partners to secure adequate and timely funding for the 2027 elections.
The funding question is likely to remain central to the preparations as the IEBC moves from planning to implementation of key electoral activities.
Acting Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Kulundu said the MTEF workshop had come at a crucial stage in the Commission's preparations.
She said the process should translate electoral priorities into practical programmes and realistic resource requirements, taking into account lessons learnt from previous elections as well as changes in Kenya's political, social and technological environment.
“Prioritise essential activities, address identified gaps and ensure value for money without compromising electoral integrity,” Ms Kulundu said.
She added that the Commission's ability to deliver on its constitutional mandate would depend on teamwork, coordination and prudent use of resources.
The MTEF will provide the framework through which the IEBC aligns its programmes and spending priorities with its strategic objectives and constitutional mandate.
The Commission is expected to use the process to identify gaps in its preparations and determine the resources required to address them before election day.
