Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will spend Sh700 million to conduct 22 by-elections across the country, Commissioner Ann Nderitu revealed yesterday.
Speaking on KTN News, Nderitu said logistics and deployment of electoral officials account for the largest chunk of the budget.
“The biggest cost drivers are electoral officials, procurement of materials and transporting everything to polling stations,” she said.
Training thousands of officials and moving staff and materials to remote areas pushes costs sky high. In Baringo County vehicles are used, while flights are required for Banisa in Mandera and parts of Turkana to deliver ballot papers on time and securely.
Nderitu disclosed that Kenyan ballot papers carry more security features than bank notes. Seals, stamps, indelible ink and advanced voter identification systems all add to the bill.
“Ballot papers have more security features than currency because our elections must manage trust. Citizens need absolute confidence that votes are secure and results reflect their true choice,” she explained.
The commissioner contrasted Kenya with countries like Sweden, where political parties print and distribute their own ballot papers and the electoral body only supervises. Such systems cost far less yet enjoy high public trust.
In Kenya every stage, from printing to counting, requires heavy investment in technology and security to prevent disputes and guarantee transparency.
Nderitu defended the Sh700 million price tag, saying the amount reflects the unique challenges of delivering credible elections in a country where public scrutiny is intense and trust remains fragile.
The by-elections, triggered by deaths, expulsions and resignations of ward representatives and MPs, will be held in various counties in the coming months.
