NAIROBI, Kenya- The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set the maximum campaign expenditure for presidential candidates at Sh6.11 billion ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The spending ceiling was published in a Gazette Notice dated Friday, August 7, 2026, as the electoral commission moves to regulate campaign financing ahead of the polls.
The new limit will apply to presidential campaigns and forms part of measures aimed at controlling election-related expenditure and promoting transparency in political financing.
The commission is mandated under Article 88(4)(i) of the Constitution to regulate the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or party in respect of any election.
The Election Campaign Finance Act also provides the legal framework for regulating campaign contributions, expenditure, disclosure and accountability.
The Sh6.11 billion ceiling comes as political parties and presidential hopefuls begin intensifying preparations for the 2027 election.
IEBC had previously proposed lower spending limits under its draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026, including a proposed Sh4.44 billion ceiling for presidential candidates. The commission subsequently undertook consultations on the proposed framework before gazetting the spending limits.
The regulations are intended to provide a framework through which candidates and political parties account for campaign funds, including contributions received and expenditure incurred during the campaign period.
IEBC has also proposed measures requiring candidates and political parties to use designated campaign bank accounts and disclose campaign donations and expenditure, allowing the commission to monitor compliance with the prescribed limits.
The presidential spending ceiling is part of broader expenditure limits covering other elective positions as Kenya prepares for the August 2027 General Election.
The move is expected to place greater scrutiny on the financing of presidential campaigns, particularly as political activity and mobilisation increase in the run-up to the polls.
