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Are we paying for democracy or a political circus?
The chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel, Dr Nelson Makanda (center, podium), briefs the media on April 25, 2025. He is with other members of the panel.
Kenya’s elections are not just an event; they are an industry, a multi-billion shilling spectacle that drains the taxpayer while delivering suspicion, tension and, ultimately, political settlements. With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) now requesting Sh61.7 billion to conduct the 2027 General Election, it is fair to ask: What exactly are we paying for?
This is not the first time IEBC has tabled a jaw-dropping budget, nor will it be the last. Over the years, the cost of elections has soared, making Kenya one of the most expensive democracies in the world. Yet, for all this spending, what do we get in return?
No matter how much we spend, the outcome is always the same. The losing side rejects the results, heads to court, and after days of dramatic litigation, a verdict is delivered, often followed by protests, tear gas and calls for “national dialogue”. In the end, a handshake, a broad-based government, or some form of political truce is reached, and life moves on, until the next election. If that is the case, shouldn’t we just budget for a handshake and save the billions?
Democracy
But the price of democracy in Kenya is not just counted in shilling, it is also in graves and broken dreams.
IEBC justifies its budget by citing technological advancements, logistical complexities and a growing electorate, but these reasons do little to explain why Kenya spends more per voter than many other countries with similar electoral demands. South Africa, for example, conducts its elections at a significantly lower cost. Even Nigeria, with nearly four times the number of voters, manages to spend less per voter than Kenya.
Technology is often sold as the magic solution, but in Kenya, it has become part of the problem. The electronic voter identification and transmission systems have consistently failed at critical moments, leaving the country in limbo. If technology was meant to solve disputes, it has failed spectacularly. Instead, it has made elections more expensive without necessarily making them more credible.
And then there’s the trust deficit. It does not matter how much we spend, if Kenyans do not trust the process, elections will always be a disputed, high-stakes gamble. We could spend twice as much, triple even, but without electoral reforms that inspire faith in the system, we are simply throwing good money after bad.
Trust and fairness
Should elections be about how much money we can pour into them, or should they be about ensuring a transparent, credible process that citizens believe in? Should we continue to invest billions in a system that guarantees nothing but conflict, or should we be investing in electoral reforms that prioritise trust and fairness over expensive gadgets?
At this rate, Kenya will not just be the most expensive democracy in Africa, it will be the most expensive joke. A democracy where the votes are counted, but the real decision is made elsewhere.
And so, as the IEBC tables its budget, Kenyans should ask: Are we funding democracy, or are we just paying for another political circus?
Mr Mburu is a lawyer and programme officer at ICJ Kenya.
