The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has gazetted new campaign financing regulations that set clear maximum expenditure limits ahead of the 2027 General Election. Presidential candidates may spend no more than KSh 6.11 billion, while political parties face a ceiling of KSh 24.45 billion. The limits are calculated according to population size and geographical coverage. IEBC urged all political parties, candidates, campaign teams and donors to comply strictly with the rules, warning that breaches could result in substantial fines or imprisonment.

The regulations implement constitutional and statutory requirements intended to increase transparency and reduce the distorting effect of large sums of money in electoral contests. Commission officials emphasised that the framework aims to create a more level playing field for candidates with varying resource bases. The announcement coincides with heightened political activity, including a three-day Naivasha retreat involving President William Ruto, ODM leader Oburu Odinga and other senior figures from both parties. Discussions at the retreat are expected to shape the future of the broad-based government arrangement and strategy for 2027.

Analysts noted that the spending caps will force parties to prioritise efficient organisation, message discipline and grassroots mobilisation rather than unrestricted fundraising. Civil society groups monitoring electoral integrity have generally welcomed the ceilings while calling for robust enforcement mechanisms and public disclosure of expenditure. Past elections have frequently featured complaints about unequal access to resources.

By establishing numerical limits early, IEBC seeks to give all participants clear parameters well in advance of the formal campaign period. Parties are now expected to revise their internal budgeting and fundraising plans to remain within the legal thresholds. The coming months will test both compliance and the Commission’s capacity to monitor and enforce the new rules effectively across the country.