IEBC targets August submission of campaign finance rules to Parliament

• The IEBC is targeting August submission of draft campaign finance regulations to Parliament.
• The proposed regulations aim to introduce clear contribution and spending limits, strengthen transparency and accountability in campaign financing, and provide a legal framework governing campaign financing for candidates and political parties.
• Mandatory campaign bank accounts for candidates and political parties are among the key proposals in the draft rules.
• The IEBC's public participation exercise has collected feedback from county cluster engagements involving various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations, election observers, and members of the public.

The proposed regulations are designed to operationalize the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013 by introducing clear contribution and spending limits while strengthening transparency and accountability in campaign financing.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is racing against time to finalize draft campaign financing regulations for the 2027 General Election. The commission aims to submit the statutory instruments to Parliament's Committee on Delegated Legislation in August, after concluding nationwide public participation. This move comes as the IEBC seeks to operationalize the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, which has been a subject of controversy and failed attempts at implementation in previous elections.

The proposed regulations are designed to introduce clear contribution and spending limits, strengthen transparency and accountability in campaign financing, and provide a legal framework governing campaign financing for candidates and political parties. The draft rules also propose mandatory campaign bank accounts for candidates and political parties, registration of campaign finance managers, stricter disclosure of donations and expenditures, as well as compliance, audit and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The IEBC's efforts to develop campaign financing regulations are rooted in the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013. However, previous attempts to operationalize the law ahead of the 2017 and 2022 General Elections failed after Parliament annulled the regulations. The current review follows a High Court directive affirming the IEBC's constitutional mandate to develop campaign financing regulations and establish spending caps through a robust public participation process. This time around, the commission is ensuring that the public participation exercise is thorough and inclusive, with feedback collected from county cluster engagements involving political parties, civil society organizations, election observers, and members of the public.

The proposed regulations are not only aimed at tightening oversight of political campaign spending but also at providing a level playing field for all candidates and political parties. The IEBC's Chairperson, Edung Ethekon, emphasized the urgency of completing the legal framework ahead of the 2027 polls, given that the commission is now working with roughly one year to go before the election.

The proposed campaign finance regulations have significant implications for the 2027 Kenyan general election. If approved by Parliament, they will provide a much-needed legal framework governing campaign financing for candidates and political parties. The regulations aim to strengthen transparency and accountability in campaign financing, which is essential for maintaining public trust and confidence in the electoral process. Moreover, the proposed rules will help prevent corrupt practices and ensure that all candidates and political parties compete on a level playing field.

Lawyers advising clients on the 2027 Kenyan general election should pay close attention to the IEBC's proposed campaign finance regulations, as they will have a direct impact on the electoral process. The regulations are designed to operationalize the Election Campaign Financing Act, 2013, and provide a practical and enforceable framework for campaign financing.

Lawyers advising clients on the 2027 Kenyan general election should watch for the IEBC's proposed campaign finance regulations, which aim to introduce clear contribution and spending limits, strengthen transparency and accountability in campaign financing, and provide a legal framework governing campaign financing for candidates and political parties.

Source: Original reporting via IEBC targets August submission of campaign finance rules to Parliament