Kenyans woke up to fresh anxiety on January 22, 2026 after a hard-hitting front-page report by Taifa Leo revealed that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is grappling with a massive funding shortfall that could derail preparations for the 2027 General Election.
According to the report, IEBC is facing a Sh13 billion budget gap, raising fears that key electoral activities may stall if the crisis is not urgently resolved.
The commission had requested funding to support critical processes including voter registration updates, boundary reviews, technology upgrades, staff recruitment and training, as well as nationwide logistics.
However, these plans suffered a major blow after budget cuts by the National Assembly following scrutiny by its budget committee, amid pressure from the National Treasury to rein in public spending.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon warned that the funding gaps have been accumulating over time and now threaten the smooth conduct of the polls.
Taifa Leo quoted the commission noting that delays in procurement, voter outreach, and logistical planning are already looming.
The electoral body had earlier projected it would need approximately Sh61.7 billion spread across three financial years (2025/26 to 2027/28) to adequately prepare for the elections.
The phased funding model was meant to ensure early preparation and avoid last-minute chaos. However, reduced allocations have left some of the most sensitive pre-election stages underfunded.
The revelations have triggered nationwide concern. Opposition leaders and civil society groups warn that failure to fix the funding crisis could lead to disputed results, logistical breakdowns, or even postponement of the 2027 elections.
On the other hand, government allies argue that tough economic conditions demand fiscal discipline, insisting that spending must be carefully prioritised.
Critics, however, accuse lawmakers of undermining the independence of the electoral commission by starving it of resources, a move they say risks reopening old wounds from past contested elections.
With less than two years remaining before Kenyans head to the ballot, pressure is mounting on Parliament of Kenya to urgently revisit the IEBC budget and release emergency funding.
The commission has maintained that timely financing is non-negotiable if credibility and public trust in the electoral process are to be safeguarded.
As headlines scream that “IEBC is broke,” the country is left confronting an uncomfortable question: can Kenya afford to gamble with the integrity of its 2027 elections?
