This archive report was first published on 22 September 2021.
Published on September 22, 2021, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has expressed concerns over the financial constraints it is facing ahead of the 2022 General Elections.
During an engagement forum with Faith Based Organizations in Nairobi, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati revealed that the Treasury had only availed Sh26.4 billion, leaving the agency with a Sh14.6 billion deficit to attain a fully funded budget of Sh40.9 billion.
"As a commission we are being exposed to the risk to under-funding," Chebukati said, highlighting the potential consequences of the budget gap.
The poll agency attributed the estimated budget to a legislative framework governing the electoral process, which results in expensive elections. The framework includes requirements such as capping the maximum number of registered voters per polling station at 700.
With the aim of registering more than 6 million voters, the IEBC plans to increase the number of polling stations from 40,833 to 53,000 plus, resulting in the need to employ more election officials.
The delayed funding has previously stalled crucial electoral processes, exposing the commission to exploitation by vendors and service providers due to the urgency to adhere to the election cycle.
