The electoral agency is yet to secure funding for the preparations of the next general elections as 2022 approaches.

There will be at least 20,000 candidates which is more than the 14,523 who contested in the August 8, 2017 polls. This is according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati. The candidates will be fighting for 1,882 posts across the six elective positions which are the posts for President, 47 county governors, 47 senators, 47 county women representatives, 290 members of the National Assembly and 1450 ward representatives.

In 2017, about 19.6 million voters were registered. However, about 9 million new voters are expected to be registered.

In 2012, the law enacted the degree requirements for candidates. IEBC therefore is expected to call upon the implementation of this.

At the county level, 23 governors will be seeking other elective positions after serving for two terms in their post meaning that the commission will need enough funds to finance their activities as the surge in candidates is expected to increase the number of political parties.

Financing IEBC activities has always been a huge challenge. This is according to one of the commissioners who confessed to the nation that the Commission needed enough funds to bid for the supply of election materials that include declaration forms, ballot papers and registration of voters.

“If you followed our budget proposals for the current financial year, we had requested for money to begin preparations. But that money was not made available and there is nothing we can do,” said the commissioner.

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