The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has slammed brakes on how much political parties can spend during the 2022 polls electioneering period.
In a Gazette Notice dated Monday, August 9, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati pegged the highest figure at Ksh17.7 billion for political parties.
Broken down, the new law indicates that from the budget, a maximum of Ksh11.8 billion should be spent on transport while a maximum of Ksh1.8 billion should go towards media and advertising.
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The regulations further state that not more than Ksh1.5 billion should be spent on elections agents, while another Ksh945 million should be used for administrative services, with Ksh780 million going to publicity materials.
Political meetings and campaign venues have been restricted to a Ksh274 million allocation while campaign personnel spending has been pegged at Ksh243 million for the entire period.
In the notice, Chebukati noted that an individual donor is only permitted to donate 20 per cent of a party’s entire spending which is pegged at Ksh 3.5 billion.
Failure to adhere to the set capping, individuals found liable of exceeding the set budget are liable to ‘a fine not exceeding two million shillings or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years or both.’
This comes even as the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta intensifies with the 2022 General Election coming up in exactly 365 days from today (August 9).
Deputy President William Ruto has already expressed interest in ascending to the top seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket whose messaging is centered on empowering the youth.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on the other hand, is yet to declare his interest but talk is rife that he is considering vying through the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party which he heads.
Other politicians who have expressed interest include former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General, Mukhisa Kituyi, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
In an earlier address, Chebukati, in association with the press, set the presidential election debate on July 12, 2022.
Speaking during a media sector working group forum in Mombasa on Monday, August 9, Kenya Editors Guild President, Churchill Otieno, also noted that the second debate would be held on July 26, 2022.
He pointed out that aspiring presidential candidates ought to submit their candidatures between May 30 and June 10 in line with the timelines issued by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
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