The chairperson nominee Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Erastus Edung Ethekon before the justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) chaired by Tharaka Mp George Murugara. DENNIS ONSONGO| NATION
Members of Parliament have rejected a proposal to increase the 2027 election budget from Sh43 billion to Sh63 billion.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) submitted its budget policy statement Tuesday which showed that it requires Sh63 billion to conduct the 2027 polls. A budget breakdown in the report shows the top expenses are wages (Sh12.4 billion), voter registration (Sh6.9 billion) and Kiems kit replacement (Sh6.2 billion).
However, MPs rejected this proposal and insisted that the Sh43 billion assigned by Treasury is enough to conduct polls.
In its report, IEBC said most Kiems kits (45,352) will be replaced at a cost of Sh6 billion as they have become obsolete. Only 14,000 kits bought in 2022 will be retained but will require an upgrade at a cost of Sh175,000 per kit, the agency said.
However, MPs moved to halt the planned purchase of new kits and told the agency to submit an expert report proving that they can’t be reused.
Meanwhile, IEBC said it projects that the number of polling stations in Kenya will rise to 55,393 from 46,229 in 2022, an increase of 9,169. Voters per polling station are expected to remain at 700.
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