The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appealed for increased funding to support key electoral activities, including by-elections and voter registration, as the country prepares for upcoming electoral processes.
The commission’s Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdallah, appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs on Wednesday to present the electoral body’s supplementary budget estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The committee, chaired by John Gitonga Murugara, reviewed IEBC programmes and projects affected by funding shortages and considered areas requiring budget reallocation in the supplementary estimates.
During the session, Abdallah urged MPs to prioritise key funding areas necessary for the commission to discharge its constitutional mandate.
“Support for these critical areas will enable the commission to effectively implement its mandate and prepare for upcoming electoral activities,” Abdallah told the committee.
Among the issues discussed were preparations for pending by-elections, the rollout of the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise and plans to intensify voter education across the country.
The commission said the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise is expected to begin soon and will allow eligible Kenyans to register as voters or update their details ahead of future elections.
Members of the committee also sought clarification on programmes that have been delayed due to financial constraints and the impact of funding gaps on the commission’s operations.
The meeting comes at a time when the electoral body is seeking to stabilise its activities following a period of uncertainty after the 2022 General Election, which saw divisions within the commission and the exit of several commissioners.
IEBC has in recent months been working to rebuild its operations and prepare for future electoral events, including by-elections in constituencies and wards where seats have fallen vacant.
The commission has also stepped up efforts to encourage voter registration, particularly among young people who have reached the voting age since the last general election.
With the next General Election expected in 2027, the electoral agency has emphasised the need for adequate funding to support voter registration, civic education and the maintenance of election infrastructure.
The supplementary budget review by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will inform Parliament’s decision on whether to allocate additional resources to the commission in the current financial year.
