The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has placed electoral operations and voter education at the top of its spending priorities as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The commission says it must make every day and resource count, with the polls now less than a year away and preparations expected to intensify in the coming months.
“Our first priority must therefore be electoral operations and voter education,” Commissioner Prof Francis Aduol said.
“Specifically, we must prioritise ICT systems, infrastructure, personnel, logistics, technology, voter registration, voter education, electoral operations, results management, security coordination, training and other interventions that are indispensable to conducting a credible election.”
Aduol was speaking while officially opening an IEBC workshop to develop its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the financial years 2027/28, 2028/29 and 2029/30.
He urged departments, directorates and county offices to adopt an “inverted-pyramid” approach to budgeting, with resources directed first to activities that have a direct bearing on delivery of a free, fair, transparent, credible and accountable election.
The Commissioner said the planning must take into account the country's constrained fiscal space and prevailing economic conditions.
“We need realistic costing, measurable outcomes, efficiency and value for money,” he said.
Aduol said the commission would continue engaging the National Treasury, Parliament and development partners to secure adequate and timely resources for the 2027 election.
He also cautioned IEBC staff against unnecessary expenditure and duplication, saying the MTEF process was about more than preparing financial estimates.
“The MTEF process is not merely a financial exercise but an election-readiness exercise,” he said.
He added: “The resources being planned for are entrusted to the Commission by the people of Kenya and must therefore be utilised prudently and accountably.”
The emphasis on election financing comes amid growing political scrutiny of IEBC's preparedness, although the commission's current focus is on putting in place the systems and resources required for the polls.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has separately challenged the electoral agency to demonstrate its readiness for the 2027 election, while Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for greater engagement between IEBC and political stakeholders.
Gachagua has questioned whether the commission is adequately prepared and demanded assurances that the 2027 election will be held as scheduled.
Sifuna, meanwhile, has called on IEBC to provide a clear roadmap for the election and engage stakeholders early enough to build confidence in the process.
The political demands come as IEBC works on the financial and operational framework that will guide its preparations.
Acting Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Ruth Kulundu said the MTEF workshop was taking place at a critical stage of preparations for the election.
“The workshop should translate electoral priorities into practical programmes and realistic resource requirements,” Kulundu said.
She said the process would be guided by lessons from previous elections, evidence and the changing political, social and technological environment.
Kulundu urged officials to identify gaps and prioritise essential activities while ensuring value for money.
“We must prioritise essential activities, address identified gaps and ensure value for money without compromising electoral integrity,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of coordination within the commission.
“The Commission’s success would depend on teamwork, coordination and prudent utilisation of resources,” Kulundu said.
The MTEF will cover three financial years and is intended to align IEBC's programmes and resource requirements with its strategic priorities and constitutional mandate.
The exercise is expected to determine how available resources are distributed among critical areas including voter registration, technology, personnel, logistics, training, voter education and results management.
