The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has released the new campaign financial spend limits that cap contributions and overspending by aspiring political parties and candidates in campaigns leading to the 2017 polling exercise.
In a gazette notice, the electoral oversight commission will see each party allowed to make a maximum budget of Sh15 billion, while each presidential contender will be legally allowed to spend up to a maximum of Sh5.2 billion.
Aspirants for the gubernatorial seats, senatorial and county women representatives will be allowed an expenditure that will not exceed Sh423 million. Aspiring MPs will be allowed to spend to a high of Sh33 million.
Any political party or aspiring candidate flouting the gazetted regulations is liable to a penalty fine not exceeding Sh2 million or an equally proportional jail term not exceeding five years or both.
While terming the set limits as much permissive, the poll commission indicated that the said limits were reached at after thorough consultations with relevant stakeholders including registered political parties, civil societies, state agencies and even the media.