National Treasury CS John Mbadi at a past function. Photo: John Mbadi X.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has raised concerns over the costly elections in the country, calling for efficiency in the use of public funds.
Following his lamentation, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), will be forced to cut on its budget for the scheduled 22 by-elections in the country, as well as the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking before the Senate Devolution Committee on Thursday, Mbadi said that the Commission should not be purchasing electoral materials every electioneering year, and could instead reuse some for instance the ballot boxes and surveillance machines.
“We’re going to ask tough questions. The IEBC must be efficient. The cost of elections in this country is simply too high. There are things that you buy and you don’t dispose of immediately. Why do you buy them every election cycle? Every election cycle, you want new things. Even ballot boxes?” Mbadi questioned.
IEBC in February stated that they require KSh 61 billion to carryout the next general election, with 5.7 million Kenyans yet to be registered as new voters, which will total to 28 million registered voters.
IEBC Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Obadiah Keitany , further stated that the money would be used to for a variety of activities ranging from boundary delimitation, kit replacement, allowances, ballot paper transport, and other miscellaneous costs.
However, Mbadi stated that the Treasury has no option but release the money for the pending by-elections, despite not being budgeted for in the recently read 2025/2026 Financial Year. With six MPs, one senator and 15 MCAs, set to be elected in the by-elections.
“We have no option; we must run elections in 2027 and even the by-elections, so we have to realign our budgets. I know IEBC is complaining, but they must be efficient; the cost of elections is too high,” he stated.
Mbadi’s lamentations coming as the country is set witnessing political supremacy battle in the by elections, between ODM, UDA and DCP, with the three political bigwigs set to reclaim and seal their dominance.
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