The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend during the 2027 General Election campaign at KSh4.44 billion.
According to the IEBC, the campaign spending limit has been fixed at KSh4,435,565,094, forming part of the broader campaign financing framework ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The president’s limit of Ksh4,435,565,094 was determined from the average limit obtained from the spending limit of the three electoral levels,” read part of the report.
The spending limits are contained in the IEBC’s report titled Determination of the Election Campaign Finance Spending Limits for the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Limits Presidential Campaign Spending to KSh4.4 Billion
In determining the ceiling, the IEBC considered two approaches. The first would have involved calculating the total average cost of a presidential campaign by estimating all allowable campaign expenses.
However, the commission adopted the second approach, which estimates campaign costs using average expenditure at the ward, constituency and county levels.
IEBC said it chose this method because it was supported by more comprehensive cost data from the three electoral tiers.
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Formula Used
Under the adopted formula, the presidential campaign spending limit was derived by averaging estimated costs across the county, constituency and ward levels.
The county-level estimate stood at KSh2.39 billion, while the constituency-level estimate was KSh5.27 billion and the ward-level estimate KSh5.64 billion.
The calculations were based on Kenya’s population of 47.56 million and an estimated land area of 581,307 square kilometres, with separate unit costs applied for population at each electoral level.
The presidential campaign ceiling also forms part of the overall political party spending limit.
IEBC has capped the total campaign expenditure for a political party fielding candidates in all elective positions at KSh17.71 billion, with the presidential race accounting for about a quarter of the allowable spending.
Also Read: IEBC Sets Crucial Dates for Candidates and Parties Ahead of 2027 General Election
Rules Governing Campaign Finances
Under the proposed campaign finance regulations, the expenditure period for presidential candidates will begin at least six months before the date of the general election and end 14 days after the conclusion of the election.
The regulations also require every presidential candidate to appoint an authorized person to receive campaign contributions and manage campaign expenditure.
However, a candidate may choose to serve as their own authorized person, provided they notify the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in writing.
In addition, each candidate or their authorized representative will be required to open a dedicated campaign bank account with a registered financial institution in Kenya.
All campaign-related income and expenditure must be processed through this account.
The campaign account must be closed within three months after the declaration of election results, after which the candidate will be required to submit the bank statement to the IEBC.
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