IEBC has set the maximum spending limit for presidential candidates at Sh6.11 billion ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
In a gazette notice issued on August 7, 2026, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) said the ceiling was determined using an ideal quota based on population and land area.
The limit applies to the election scheduled for August 10, 2027 and forms part of broader spending and contribution limits for candidates and political parties.
The commission published separate limits for presidential, county, constituency and county assembly ward elections, as well as a spending ceiling for political parties.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission gives notice and publishes the contributions and spending limits, including the total amount that a candidate or political party may receive and spend during the expenditure period and the formula and parameters used in determining the unit costs for the spending limits,” the notice stated.
The presidential spending limit is Sh6,112,543,133, based on a national population of about 47.56 million and a land area of approximately 581,307 square kilometres.
At county level, the spending limits vary according to population and geographical size. Mombasa has been allocated Sh60.97 million, while Nairobi City has the highest county-level ceiling at Sh181.31 million.
Turkana has a limit of Sh142.07 million, while Marsabit is allocated Sh127.02 million.
Other county limits include Sh110.96 million for Kiambu, Sh107.10 million for Nakuru, Sh106.01 million for Garissa, Sh97.56 million for Kitui and Sh88.46 million for Kajiado. At the lower end, Lamu has a limit of Sh28.69 million, while Tharaka-Nithi has Sh32.30 million.
For constituencies, the IEBC has also set individual spending ceilings. Changamwe, for example, has a limit of Sh18.30 million, while Jomvu has Sh20.33 million.
Kisauni has been allocated Sh27.40 million, Nyali Sh23.12 million and Likoni Sh25.16 million. Kinango has a higher limit of Sh36.27 million.
The ward-level limits vary further depending on population and land area. In Mombasa, Port Reitz has a ceiling of Sh4.95 million, Kipevu Sh5.05 million and Airport Sh4.62 million. Jomvu Kuu has a limit of Sh6.41 million, while Junda is allocated Sh7.07 million.
The IEBC said campaign expenses covered by the limits include venues, publicity materials, advertising, campaign personnel and transportation. Other authorised costs include communication, nomination fees, security, accommodation and administrative expenses.
At party level, the total spending ceiling is Sh24.45 billion. Transportation accounts for the largest allocation at Sh16.13 billion, followed by advertising and media at Sh2.52 billion and election agents at Sh2.08 billion. Administrative costs are capped at Sh1.29 billion, while publicity materials have a limit of Sh1.07 billion.
The commission said that its formula gives population a 70% weight and land area 30%. “The unit cost at each electoral level is therefore determined from the ideal quota for population and land area,” the notice explained.
Contribution limits have been set at 100% of the prescribed spending limits. However, a single source cannot provide more than 20% of total permitted contributions.
The IEBC warned that candidates or political party committees that exceed the limits and fail to report the breach commit an offence. Conviction can attract a fine of up to Sh2 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.