The National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee has come under pressure to increase funding for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and key justice sector institutions amid growing concerns over preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
During a sitting chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi on Monday, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), led by Tharaka MP George Murugara, tabled proposals seeking substantial upward adjustments to allocations for the electoral body, Judiciary and other institutions within the justice sector.
At the centre of the discussions was a proposed Sh33.4 billion allocation to the IEBC, which lawmakers said is necessary to bridge critical funding gaps that could affect election preparedness and the conduct of the next General Election.
According to JLAC, the electoral commission is already facing major financial constraints that risk slowing down key activities including procurement of election materials, voter registration and deployment logistics.
The proposed budget includes Sh9.3 billion for KIEMS kits, Sh5.2 billion for poll officials, Sh2.7 billion for ballot papers and statutory forms, another Sh2.7 billion for voter registration and biometric verification, Sh1.7 billion for civic education and public communication, and Sh1.5 billion for transport and field mobility during the election period.
Lawmakers were informed that the IEBC intends to register approximately 5.7 million new voters ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, concerns emerged over whether the commission can meet critical timelines, especially in procurement processes that have in previous elections sparked controversy and delayed preparations.
“How do we guarantee timely delivery of KIEMS kits and ballot materials given the current procurement cycle?” Mr Atandi posed during the deliberations, warning that procurement delays have historically disrupted electoral timelines.
The discussions also shifted to pending bills within the justice sector, with Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu raising concern over accumulated obligations that he said are crippling service delivery.
Mr Mulu singled out Sh4.89 billion in legal fee arrears owed by the IEBC, arguing that delayed settlement of pending bills continues to weaken operations within constitutional institutions.
The Judiciary also sought additional funding under the Dispensation of Justice Programme to help handle an anticipated rise in election-related disputes and support expansion of court infrastructure across the country.
Mr Murugara told the committee that the funds would enable courts to effectively process disputes arising from party nominations and the 2027 General Election period.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) further requested more resources to recruit complaints officers and investigators as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and accountability within the Judiciary.
But MPs questioned whether the institution has adequate staffing levels to manage the growing workload associated with increased litigation and public complaints.
“Is the JSC sufficiently resourced to handle the rising complaints workload, especially with increased judicial disputes?” asked Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka.
The committee also reviewed proposals affecting correctional services, where JLAC recommended Sh100 million for prison operations and maintenance due to severe budgetary constraints facing correctional facilities.
An additional Sh40 million was proposed for construction of probation offices in Marimanti, Bungoma, Wajir and Baringo counties.
Concerns over prison congestion and rehabilitation programmes also featured prominently during the session, with Mwingi Central MP Mwengi Mutuse questioning whether current allocations sufficiently address welfare and overcrowding challenges in prisons.
“Are we adequately addressing overcrowding and rehabilitation needs, or are we simply sustaining incarceration pressures?” Mr Mutuse asked.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has also requested an extra Sh637 million to facilitate recruitment of staff, medical insurance and operationalisation of 31 new offices across the country.
JLAC additionally proposed enhanced funding for human rights institutions, including Sh145 million for witness protection programmes and Sh78.2 million for the Commission on Administrative Justice, alongside additional allocations for reparations to victims of human rights violations and county-based human rights initiatives.
Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee pledged support for increased financing to both the IEBC and Judiciary, signalling Parliament’s growing focus on institutional preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections.
