The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has gazetted new regulations governing election campaign financing, setting the legal framework that political parties and candidates will operate under ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.
The Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026 and the prescribed Contribution and Spending Limits for the 2027 General Election introduce rules governing campaign contributions, expenditure, disclosure, record-keeping, reporting, auditing, monitoring and enforcement.
The regulations are anchored in Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution and the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, which mandate the regulation of campaign financing and the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of candidates and political parties.
The Gazettement follows aa High Court decision in Constitutional Petition No. E540 of 2021, consolidated with E546 of 2021, Katiba Institute & 3 Others v IEBC & 3 thers.
The court directed the IEBC to develop the required campaign financing regulations, subject them to public participation and establish a framework for determining contribution and spending limits.
Following the ruling, the electoral commission undertook a review of the campaign financing framework and conducted public participation and stakeholder consultations across the country.
IEBC said it received submissions from members of the public through notices published in newspapers and electronic media. It also held consultations with political parties, aspiring candidates, civil society organisations, State agencies, marginalised groups, development partners and other electoral stakeholders.
“The consultations were conducted under the theme “Campaign Finance Regulation in Kenya: A Constitutional Framework for Transparency, Political Equality, Accountability and Electoral Integrity,” IEBC said.
The commission said views and recommendations gathered during the consultations were considered and incorporated into the final regulatory instruments where appropriate.
With the regulations now published in the Kenya Gazette, IEBC has shifted from developing the framework to implementing and enforcing the new campaign finance rules.
Political parties and candidates will be required to comply with disclosure and reporting requirements while maintaining records of campaign contributions and expenditure. The framework also provides for auditing, monitoring, verification, investigations and enforcement.
The prescribed contribution and spending limits will determine the maximum amount candidates and political parties can spend during the 2027 election period.
IEBC said the limits are intended to promote a level playing field by preventing financial resources from disproportionately influencing political participation, voter access and electoral competition.
The commission also stressed that the regulations must operate alongside constitutional protections for political participation and freedom of expression.
IEBC has urged political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and other regulated persons to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and take immediate steps to ensure compliance.
“The Commission will exercise its regulatory mandate in line with the Constitution, the Election Campaign Financing Act and the regulations. This will include monitoring, verification, auditing, investigation and enforcement,” the Commission said.
IEBC said it would continue engaging political parties and other stakeholders to improve awareness and understanding of the campaign financing framework.
“The framework is now in place; all regulated persons are required to take immediate steps to ensure full and timely compliance,” it said.
The Gazettement marks a significant step towards regulating campaign spending ahead of the 2027 General Election, with IEBC now empowered to monitor compliance and take action against violations of the campaign financing rules.
