IEBC Caps Spending for a Presidential Campaign at Sh4.4 Billion

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has announced campaign spending limits for all elective seats ahead of the 2022 general elections.

Through a gazette notice on Monday, the commission capped spending for a presidential campaign at Sh4.4 billion while political parties will be allowed to spend a maximum of Sh17.7 billion.

The newly published regulations on campaign expenditure in next year’s elections are aimed at ensuring a fair playing field for political contests.

Candidates and political parties are barred from receiving contributions above the set spending limits while a political party cannot receive more than 20% of its total contributions from a single source.

Spending limits for candidates seeking the gubernatorial, senatorial, and woman representative positions were considered on a county-by-county basis, with Turkana County having the highest spending limit at Sh123 million followed by Nairobi (Sh117 million), and Marsabit (Sh114 million). 

Others are Wajir at Sh103.7 million, Garissa (Sh88.7 million), Mombasa (Sh39.6 million), and Kisumu (Sh40.8 million).

On the other hand, Lamu County has the lowest spending limit at Sh21 million followed by Tharaka Nithi (Sh23 million), and Elgeyo Marakwet (Sh25 million).

The limits are based on estimated travel costs, hiring of venues, security, agents, geographical size, and population of the specific region.

A candidate or political party that exceeds the set spending limits and fails to report this to IEBC commits an offense under the Election Financing Act and is liable to a fine not exceeding Sh2 million or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.