NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is seeking Sh3.5 billion to relocate its headquarters from Nairobi’s Central Business District, citing escalating rent costs and persistent disruptions caused by election-related protests.
Appearing before the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan said the agency plans to construct a permanent operations base—dubbed the Uchaguzi Centre—starting July 2026, subject to budget approval.
“The acquisition of permanent premises would cut recurrent costs such as rent and venue hire for meetings, candidate nominations, staff training, and storage. In the long run, this would save Kenyan taxpayers’ money,” Marjan told senators on Thursday.
Currently housed at Anniversary Towers, IEBC pays an estimated Sh100 million annually in rent to the building’s owner, Kenya Re.
The cost excludes millions spent on hiring additional venues and storage facilities—expenses the Commission says could be eliminated with a purpose-built premises.
The Commission is requesting an initial Sh201 million in the 2026/2027 fiscal year and an additional Sh602 million the year after to kick-start the project.
Protest History Adds Pressure to Relocate
IEBC has long grappled with security risks and business disruptions at its city centre offices during politically charged periods.
Demonstrations, especially following disputed elections, have repeatedly targeted Anniversary Towers—forcing evacuations and crippling operations.
During the 2017 election cycle, the National Super Alliance (NASA) staged weekly protests demanding electoral reforms, severely impacting businesses around the CBD.
Similar protests led by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) in earlier years amplified calls for IEBC to vacate the city centre.
In 2017, then Starehe MP Charles Njagua proposed relocating IEBC to Bomas of Kenya to protect city businesses.
At the time, then-chair Wafula Chebukati supported the move, saying the Commission was actively exploring both purchase and construction options to secure a more secure and efficient base.
“Frequent picketing outside Anniversary Towers has not only disrupted IEBC operations but also hurt surrounding businesses. Moving out of the CBD would prevent such disruptions,” Chebukati said.
Relocation Plans Not New
IEBC’s push for a permanent home dates back to 2013 when then-Chair Issack Hassan requested Sh800 million from Parliament to purchase an office block.
He warned that rent and congestion at the current location posed operational risks.
In 2021, IEBC floated a tender to purchase at least five acres of land located no less than 20 kilometres from the CBD, on stable, gently sloping terrain and accessible by road.
Now, the Commission is banking on the Uchaguzi Centre project to not only reduce overheads but also streamline logistics ahead of the 2027 general election—whose budget has already ballooned to Sh57.4 billion.
If realized, the new premises will provide secure warehousing, meeting spaces, training centres, and administrative offices—all under one roof.
“We want to ensure that elections are not just free and fair but also efficiently managed from a permanent and secure base,” said Marjan.
