The 2027 General Election campaign season is set to come with tighter controls on how candidates and political parties raise and spend money after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) gazetted new campaign financing regulations.
The new rules set spending limits for presidential, county, National Assembly and County Assembly candidates, as well as political parties taking part in the election. The regulations also outline how campaign contributions should be handled and what records candidates and parties are expected to keep.
In a special Kenya Gazette notice dated Friday, August 7, 2026, IEBC set the maximum expenditure for a presidential campaign at KSh6.11 billion.
The figure is part of a wider framework aimed at controlling campaign spending and improving accountability during the election period.
The commission said the spending limits were calculated using a formula based on population and geographical area. Population accounts for 70 per cent of the calculation, while the size of the geographical area accounts for the remaining 30 per cent.
IEBC said the limits were issued under its constitutional and legal mandate, including Article 88 of the Constitution, the IEBC Act of 2011 and the Election Campaign Financing Act of 2013.Political parties have also been given a combined spending ceiling of KSh24.45 billion.
Transportation takes the largest share of the party spending limit, with a ceiling of KSh16.13 billion.
Advertising and media spending has been capped at KSh2.52 billion, while election agents have been allocated KSh2.08 billion. Parties can also spend on other approved areas, including campaign venues, publicity materials, campaign staff, communication, security, accommodation and administrative activities.
The regulations also introduce different spending limits for county-level campaigns. The amount allowed varies depending on the county and the factors used by the commission to calculate the limits.
Nairobi City County has the highest county-level spending limit at KSh181.31 million. Turkana follows with a limit of KSh142.07 million, while Marsabit has been allocated KSh127.02 million.
Lamu has the lowest limit at KSh28.69 million.
The commission has also placed restrictions on campaign contributions. Under the new rules, one source cannot provide more than 20 per cent of the total contributions allowed under the relevant schedule.
This requirement is intended to place limits on how much influence a single donor can have through campaign financing. Candidates, political parties and their campaign teams will therefore need to monitor their sources of funding and maintain proper records of all contributions.
IEBC has warned that candidates and political party committees that go beyond the prescribed spending limits and fail to report the breach could face legal consequences.
A person convicted of an offence under the Election Campaign Financing Act where no specific penalty is provided may be fined up to KSh2 million, jailed for a period of up to five years, or receive both penalties.
The electoral commission has urged political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and other regulated persons to familiarise themselves with the new requirements.
These include rules on receiving campaign contributions, spending, record-keeping, disclosure, reporting and accountability.The gazettement marks an important stage in the preparations for the 2027 elections.
IEBC said the process is moving from regulatory development and public consultation to implementation and enforcement.
With campaigns expected to become more active as the election approaches, candidates and parties will now have to plan their finances within the limits set by the electoral body. The regulations also mean that campaign teams will need stronger financial records to show how money is received and spent throughout the campaign period.
