The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted new campaign financing regulations and spending limits ahead of the 2027 General Election, introducing tighter financial controls for candidates, political parties and campaign teams.
In a gazette notice dated Friday, August 7, the electoral body set the maximum expenditure for a presidential campaign at Ksh6.11 billion.
IEBC said the spending limits were calculated using a formula based on population and geographical size, with population accounting for 70 per cent of the weighting and land area contributing the remaining 30 per cent.
The limits, contained in a special Kenya Gazette published on August 7, 2026, apply to presidential, county, National Assembly and County Assembly races, as well as political parties taking part in the election.
"IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by Article 88 (4) (i) of the Constitution of Kenya, section 4 (i) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011, and sections 12, 18, and 19 of the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gives notice and publishes the contributions and spending limits, including the total amount that a candidate or political party may receive and spend during the expenditure period and the formula and parameters used in determining the unit costs for the spending limits," IEBC stated in the notice.
Under the new framework, political parties will have a combined spending ceiling of Ksh24.45 billion.
Transportation accounts for the largest share of the allocation at Ksh16.13 billion, while advertising and media have been capped at Ksh2.52 billion. Spending on election agents has been limited to Ksh2.08 billion.
Other permitted campaign expenses include venues, publicity materials, campaign staff, communication, security, accommodation and administrative costs.
The commission also set different spending limits for county-level campaigns depending on the size and characteristics of each county.
Nairobi County received the highest ceiling at Ksh181.31 million, followed by Turkana at Ksh142.07 million and Marsabit at Ksh127.02 million.
Lamu County was assigned the lowest county-level spending limit at Ksh28.69 million.
The new regulations also introduce restrictions on campaign contributions. IEBC stipulated that no single source can provide more than 20 per cent of the total contributions permitted under the applicable schedules.
The commission warned that candidates and political party committees that breach the prescribed spending limits and fail to disclose the violation could face criminal prosecution.
Those convicted could be fined up to Ksh2 million, sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison, or receive both penalties.
"The attention of candidates and political party committees is drawn to the provisions of sections 23 and 24 of the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013 that a person convicted of an offence under this Act for which no penalty is provided shall be liable to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years or to both.," the commission added.
IEBC directed political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and other regulated individuals and organisations to familiarise themselves with the new requirements.
The rules cover campaign contributions and expenditure, record-keeping, disclosure, reporting and accountability.
The electoral commission said the gazettement marks a shift from developing and consulting on campaign financing regulations to implementing and enforcing the rules ahead of the 2027 elections.
