Presidential candidates face Sh6.1 billion campaign spending limit in 2027 general election

Presidential candidates will be allowed to spend up to Sh6.1 billion, while political parties will have a combined campaign spending limit of Sh24.45 billion in the 2027 General Election under new campaign financing regulations gazetted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The regulations, gazetted on August 7, 2026, ahead of the General Election scheduled for August 10, 2027, also impose strict penalties on candidates and political parties that breach the prescribed spending limits.

Candidates or political party committees that exceed the limits and fail to report the breach will have committed an offence. Upon conviction, they could face a fine of up to Sh2 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Under the new framework, a presidential candidate will be allowed to spend up to Sh6,112,543,133, while political parties will have a combined ceiling of Sh24,450,172,531.

The regulated expenditure period will begin at least six months before the election and end on the 14th day after the conclusion of the polls.

The IEBC said the limits were determined using a formula that takes into account population and geographical area, with population carrying a 70 per cent weight and land area accounting for 30 per cent.

The limits apply to presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, National Assembly, Woman Representative and County Assembly contests.

At the county level, Nairobi has the highest spending limit at Sh181,312,885, followed by Turkana at Sh142,072,389 and Marsabit at Sh127,022,462. Lamu has the lowest county spending limit at Sh28,693,735.

For National Assembly contests, North Horr has the highest spending limit at Sh100,424,301, followed by Wajir South at Sh73,016,747. Wundanyi has the lowest limit at Sh15,430,114.

For MCA contests, Turbi Ward in Marsabit has the highest spending limit at Sh22,095,682, while Ziwani/Kariokor Ward in Nairobi has one of the lowest at Sh3,630,884.

The IEBC has also restricted campaign contributions, with a single source prohibited from contributing more than 20 per cent of the total contributions allowed under the respective schedules.

For political parties, transportation has been allocated the largest share at Sh16.13 billion, followed by advertising and media at Sh2.52 billion and election agents at Sh2.08 billion.

The commission has directed political parties, candidates, campaign teams, donors and other regulated persons to familiarise themselves with the requirements on campaign contributions, expenditure, record-keeping, disclosure, reporting and accountability ahead of the 2027 polls.