Preparations for Election 2027 are in serious jeopardy. The National Treasury has dropped a bombshell—Ksh9.2 billion meant for the next general election is missing from the latest national budget. Without urgent action, the entire voting process could stall.
Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo sounded the alarm before the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriation Committee, revealing that crucial funding for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not been factored into the 2025/26 estimates. The clock is ticking, and failure to close this funding gap could cripple democracy.
Treasury Flags Election 2027 Budget Crisis
Dr Chris Kiptoo appeared before the National Assembly to deliver grim news: the government has not allocated the Ksh9.2 billion required to kickstart preparations for the 2027 general election. Representing Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Kiptoo urged lawmakers to review the budget urgently before submitting their final report next week.
Kiptoo explained that the missing billions are a result of poor revenue collection. The government had projected higher income but fell short. As a result, critical programs—like the election—are now unfunded.
He also revealed that this isn’t the only sector suffering. Medical cover for police, group life insurance, and even education scholarships face similar funding gaps. However, the absence of election funds carries unique risks. If these funds aren’t secured in time, Kenya’s ability to hold fair and timely elections may collapse.
Kiptoo’s warning follows a separate concern raised by Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Chair Gitonga Murugara. Murugara told the committee that IEBC still owes Ksh3.8 billion in pending bills.
These debts, which include Ksh2.65 billion in legal fees and Ksh298 million in logistics costs, must be settled before new funds can be allocated. Parliament has demanded supporting documents before approving any additional money.
IEBC Faces Uphill Battle to Prepare for Election 2027
IEBC has a long to-do list for the upcoming election. The commission plans to register 6.3 million new voters to add to the current roll of 22.1 million. It also needs 59,352 voter identification kits—55,393 for polling stations and 3,959 for training purposes.
Of these, 45,352 kits were bought in 2017 and now require replacement. Only 14,000 kits from 2022 will be reused. Without the Ksh9.2 billion flagged by Kiptoo, these efforts will stall. No new voters will be added, no kits will be purchased, and polling stations may lack vital infrastructure.
This delay could paralyze the electoral process and raise questions about Kenya’s commitment to free and fair elections. Worse still, it invites political instability. Elections must be planned years in advance. Waiting until the last minute to fund such a critical process is a recipe for disaster.
IEBC has not yet commented on the Treasury’s warning. However, insiders fear that the funding issue, combined with pending legal debts, could derail the commission’s timeline. Delays in voter registration and equipment procurement will leave little room for error as the election draws near.
Budget Deficit Overshadows Key National Priorities
The Treasury’s budget presentation painted a broader picture of fiscal strain. Kiptoo noted that the government expects to collect Ksh3.3 trillion in revenue, while spending is projected at Ksh4.2 trillion. That leaves a deficit of about 4.5 per cent of GDP.
Inflation has improved, dropping from 9.6 per cent in October 2022 to 4.1 per cent in April 2025. But the reduced inflation rate has not translated into more money for public programs. Higher education loans (HELB) also face a shortfall—Ksh34 billion is needed for university students, and Ksh11.3 billion for TVET students.
Meanwhile, police officers are left exposed. A total of Ksh23.6 billion is required to fund their medical and group life cover. But this too is missing from the budget.
In short, the government is trying to do more with less. But failing to fund a national election is not an option. Parliament now holds the key. Lawmakers must urgently address these gaps or risk plunging the country into a constitutional crisis.
