IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon in a past address.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted the Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026 and the contribution and spending limits that will govern candidates and political parties during the August 10, 2027 General Election.
In a press release issued on Saturday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the publication marks a major step in implementing the constitutional and legal framework governing election campaign financing.
The commission said the regulations and spending limits now form the applicable framework for campaign financing in the next General Election.
"The gazettement marks the transition from regulatory development and consultation to implementation and enforcement," the commission said.
According to the IEBC, the move fulfils its constitutional mandate under Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution and gives effect to the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, which regulates campaign financing and the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of candidates and political parties during an election.
The commission said the framework was developed following a High Court decision in Constitutional Petition No. E540 of 2021, consolidated with E546 of 2021, in the case of Katiba Institute & 3 Others v Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & 3 Others.
The case challenged, among other issues, Parliament's revocation of provisions relating to campaign financing after contribution and spending limits had been published on August 9, 2021.
In its judgment, the court directed the commission to develop the necessary regulations, subject them to public participation and establish a framework for setting contribution and spending limits under the Election Campaign Financing Act.
The IEBC said it subsequently carried out a comprehensive review of the campaign financing framework to prepare it for implementation during the 2027 General Election.
As part of the process, the commission invited members of the public to submit memoranda through newspaper advertisements and electronic media notices.
It also conducted county-cluster public participation forums and held targeted consultations with political parties, aspiring candidates, civil society organisations, State agencies, marginalised groups, development partners and other election stakeholders.
The consultations were held under the theme, "Campaign Finance Regulation in Kenya: A Constitutional Framework for Transparency, Political Equality, Accountability and Electoral Integrity."
According to the commission, views and recommendations collected during the public participation process were reviewed and, where appropriate, incorporated into the final regulations.
The IEBC thanked Kenyans and stakeholders who took part in the exercise, saying their contributions helped shape a campaign financing framework aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, fairness, political equality and integrity in electoral competition.
The commission said the regulations establish the legal framework for regulating and disclosing campaign contributions and expenditure. They also provide for record-keeping, reporting, auditing, monitoring, compliance and enforcement.
The contribution and spending limits, it added, prescribe the maximum campaign expenditure allowed for candidates and political parties.
The IEBC urged political parties, candidates, campaign teams and organisations supporting campaigns to familiarise themselves with the new legal requirements and take steps to comply.
It said it would exercise its regulatory mandate through monitoring, verification, audits, investigations and enforcement in accordance with the Constitution, the Election Campaign Financing Act and the new regulations.
The commission also pledged to continue engaging political parties, stakeholders and the public to improve awareness, understanding and compliance with the campaign financing framework.
The IEBC said regulating campaign financing is critical to protecting the integrity of elections.
"The regulation of election campaign financing is not just a constitutional and statutory imperative but is essential to safeguarding the integrity of electoral competition," the commission said.
It added that the contribution and spending limits are intended to "promote a level playing field" by ensuring financial resources do not unfairly influence political participation, access to voters or electoral competition, while respecting constitutional rights to political participation and freedom of expression.
The commission called on political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and all other regulated persons to comply with the new regulations, including requirements on contributions, expenditure, record-keeping, disclosure, reporting and accountability.
"The framework is now in place; all regulated persons are required to take immediate steps to ensure full and timely compliance," the commission said.
