Presidential candidates will be required to spend a maximum of Sh5.2 billion according to new campaign rules.
The rules were issued by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Thursday issued new campaign finance rules limiting spending by political parties, party contributors and aspirants during the 2017 electioneering period beginning in February.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, Cord leader Raila Odinga and other people who are eyeing the presidential seat and are planning to splash billions will now have to adhere to the new regulations.
Apart from presidential candidates, Members of Parliament will spend a maximum of Sh33 million and governors, senators and woman representatives are required to spend past Sh432 million.
Spending by members of county assemblies have not been spared either as their spending have been capped at Sh10.3 million.
In a statement to newsrooms, the IEBC said political party expenditure during the elections to have also been limited to a maximum of Sh15 billion and single-source contributors to political parties to Sh3 billion.
“The Constitution mandates the electoral body to regulate the amount of money that may be spent by or on behalf of a candidate or party in respect of any election.”
The electoral legal framework under the Constitution contemplates free and fair elections based on equality, non-discrimination and empowerment of key participants.