The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has appealed for private sector support as it faces a KSh24.6 billion funding gap ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that the shortfall could weaken key electoral preparations and affect public confidence in the process.
The appeal came after IEBC Chairman Edung Ethekon met representatives of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, where he emphasized the need for partnerships to strengthen electoral integrity and ensure smooth delivery of constitutional responsibilities.
The commission said it requires KSh67.07 billion to conduct the August 10, 2027 General Election but has so far received Sh41.50 billion from the National Treasury, leaving a deficit of KSh24.57 billion.
Ethekon warned that the funding gap could trigger widespread disruptions across voter education, youth engagement, institutional capacity, and overall election preparedness. He said the strain is already shaping planning priorities for the next phase of election readiness.
IEBC has outlined key preparations, including the establishment of a centralized communications system to counter misinformation, expanded voter education targeting young people, and increased engagement forums across counties.
The Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise launched in March aims to register millions of new voters, particularly youth, women, and marginalized groups. The commission projects the voter register will grow from 22.1 million to 28.5 million by 2027.
To accommodate the expected increase, polling stations will rise from 46,229 to more than 55,000, while diaspora registration centres will expand from 18 to 54. Biometric voter verification is expected to be completed 90 days before the election, with full system simulations planned two months prior.
The commission warned that insufficient funding could affect civic education programs, recruitment and training of election officials, and inclusion of special interest groups such as youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Ethekon stressed that weak communication and limited outreach could undermine public trust in the electoral process at a critical stage of preparation. He said the next 15 months are crucial in determining the success of the 2027 elections.
He urged stakeholders to support unity, reject violence, and avoid hate speech, emphasizing that trust in elections must be collectively built and protected.
Trust cannot be bought, he said, adding that safeguarding Kenya’s democratic process requires shared responsibility among all actors involved in the electoral ecosystem.
