IEBC under pressure to deliver with a huge budget deficit

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Kenyans can expect a packed electoral calendar in the run-up to the 2027 General Election, and at the centre of it all is the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which now admits it is under heavy pressure.

 From financial shortfalls and delayed procurement to growing public scepticism, the Commission is facing serious challenges.

Yet insists it is determined to deliver credible, transparent and inclusive elections.

On Wednesday, top IEBC officials appeared before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to respond to audit concerns raised by the Auditor-General for the financial year ending June 2023. 

It was during this session that the Commission revealed a Sh238 million funding gap threatening the completion of 24 upcoming by-elections, some of which involve constituencies that have gone years without elected representation.

Of the Sh1.046 billion budgeted to conduct all the polls, only KSh 788 million has so far been disbursed, allowing the Commission to proceed with 16 of the by-elections. 

IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan explained that eight others remain unfunded, although consultations with the National Treasury are ongoing.

“We are carrying out all the by-elections, but some were identified later after funding for the initial 16 had already been approved,” said Mr Marjan.

 “We are engaging the National Treasury to unlock additional resources urgently for the remaining eight.”

The Commission also flagged delays in procurement, attributing the hold-ups to mandatory compliance with the government’s electronic procurement system, known as e-GP.

 Although IEBC has trained staff and finalized election timelines, critical materials like ballot papers and registers have yet to be acquired.

“We’ve not procured any election materials yet because we must comply with e-GP, but we have trained staff and can now begin procurement, albeit with some delays,” Mr Marjan added.

Despite these challenges, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon confirmed that all 24 by-elections will be held on November 27, 2025 — including in Banissa Constituency, which has lacked a sitting MP since 2022.

Mr  Ethekon explained that this date offers just enough time to meet constitutional requirements, provided the necessary funding is released in time.

“That is why we set November 27 as the date, believing it provides sufficient time — provided resources are availed,” he said. 

“Kenyans will witness credible by-elections, which will serve as a vital test run ahead of the 2027 General Election.”

In the same session, the Commission announced the resumption of continuous voter registration, beginning September 29, with a national target of registering at least 6.3 million new voters. 

Of these, IEBC expects 70 percent to be youth aged 18 to 34. Registration will be conducted at all constituency offices and 57 Huduma Centres across the country. 

The diaspora will also be included, following consultations with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.

Mr Ethekon stated that this fresh registration drive would generate an updated voters’ roll, which will be cleaned and audited to remove names of deceased persons and duplicate entries. 

“The integrity of the voter register is central to credible elections, and we are committed to ensuring it is up-to-date and secure,” he said.

Meanwhile, the issue of electoral boundary review — a legally mandated process every eight to twelve years — remains unresolved. 

IEBC has received an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court on how to proceed, but says it is still examining the legal and financial implications. 

This has sparked concern among lawmakers, especially from underrepresented regions.

Wajir South MP Mohamed Adow told the committee that his constituency, which spans over 22,000 square kilometres, is grossly underserved.

 He urged the IEBC to accelerate the review, saying delayed reforms continue to undermine equity in representation.

At the same time, Funyula MP Dr Wilberforce Oundo raised concerns about rising political temperatures as the 2027 elections draw nearer. 

He warned that if the by-elections are not handled carefully, they could trigger unrest and set a dangerous tone.

“Election violence can plunge this country into chaos,”Dr Oundo said. 

“These by-elections must demonstrate that political violence can be contained.”

Responding to these concerns, Mr Ethekon said IEBC cannot prevent violence on its own and called for collective responsibility from politicians, the media, and the public.

“IEBC alone cannot prevent violence. Politicians, media, and society must also play their part,” he said. 

He also noted that building public trust in the electoral process would depend heavily on cooperation across all sectors of society.

Since assuming office in early 2025, Mr Ethekon has made public assurances that he will not allow manipulation of the 2027 elections. 

“Going forward to 2027, I will ensure stealing of votes will be equal to impossible,” he said in a recent media briefing. 

He pledged to enhance transparency, enforce internal controls, and prioritise the voices of Kenyan voters.

“My first loyalty is to the people of Kenya… I wish to assure Kenyans that their voices will be heard and count in the coming elections,” Ethekon said during his swearing-in. 

His comments were seen as a sharp shift from past leadership at IEBC, some of whom faced accusations of partisanship and mismanagement.

As Kenyans look toward 2027, the next few months will be crucial. The planned by-elections will serve as a litmus test for the IEBC’s readiness. The voter registration drive will indicate whether young and first-time voters still have faith in the system. 

And the ongoing boundary review — if concluded in time — could redefine the political landscape for years to come.

For ordinary Kenyans, these developments mean more than dates on a calendar. They will determine who represents them in Parliament, whether their polling stations change, and whether the 2027 election is peaceful or chaotic.

 IEBC has made its promises. Now, all eyes will be on whether it can deliver.