The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched nationwide public participation forums on the Draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026, and proposed campaign contribution and spending limits as it seeks to strengthen transparency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to the statement by the IEBC on Monday, July 27, 2026, the exercise began on Monday across four regional clusters—Mombasa, Kisumu, Garissa and Eldoret—with similar forums in the remaining county clusters scheduled for Tuesday.
“Today, IEBC commenced county public participation forums across the country on the Draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026 and the proposed Contribution and Spending Limits,” the Commission said in a statement.
The Commission said the consultations are aimed at developing a transparent, practical and inclusive campaign financing regime that will guide political campaigns during the 2027 General Election.
During the forums, IEBC officials are presenting the draft regulations and proposed spending limits before receiving views, recommendations and feedback from stakeholders.
“The forums are intended to gather views from members of the public and key stakeholders as part of the Commission’s efforts to develop a transparent, practical and inclusive campaign financing framework ahead of the 2027 General Election.”
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According to the electoral agency, the forums will involve presenting the proposed regulations and spending limits, receiving recommendations from stakeholders and incorporating public feedback before the draft regulations are finalized and gazetted.
Why the regulations matters
The review comes in the wake of concerns over the influence of money in elections, particularly following the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where reports emerged of widespread distribution of campaign goodies, cooking gas cylinders, shoes, boats and other incentives during campaigns.
Human rights groups also raised concerns over alleged voter bribery and the misuse of public resources during the Ol Kalou contest, urging authorities to enforce electoral laws more strictly ahead of the 2027 polls.
The proposed regulations are expected to operationalize limits on campaign contributions and expenditure in a bid to create a level playing field for candidates and reduce the influence of excessive spending in Kenya’s elections.
