Karua Questions IEBC's Ksh61B Budget, Demands Independent Audit

People's Liberation Party (formerly NARC Kenya) leader Martha Karua on Wednesday criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its proposal to be allocated Ksh61 billion for the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on a local television programme on Wednesday night, Karua condemned the commission for inflating its budget estimates and called for an audit of the proposals by professional bodies. According to the opposition figure, there was no justification for the Ksh61 billion, arguing that the proposed amount would make Kenya’s elections among the most expensive in the world.

"Demanding Ksh61 billion is budgeted corruption; this is a corruptly done budget. Kenyan elections are more expensive than any other elections in the world," Karua asserted. "I am challenging the accountants and auditors—why doesn't the professional body of accountants audit this? Why can't a few private bodies audit this budget? We need to talk about that corruptly done budget, as there is no way elections can cost Ksh61 billion," she argued.

Furthermore, the opposition figure claimed that past elections had been marred by numerous controversies, and therefore, the IEBC’s demand for such a large amount could not guarantee a fair process.

"There is no way elections can cost Ksh61 billion, yet they are always shoddily conducted, resulting in not only presidential contests but also many other petitions," she added.

Karua also criticised the government over its recent policy requiring new national identification document applicants to pay Ksh1,000.

According to her, the requirement amounted to a constitutional violation of citizens' rights.

She also accused the government of failing to curb wasteful expenditure while imposing expiry dates on ID cards as a way to generate revenue.

"Stop criminalising the attainment of the age of majority by asking the youth to pay Ksh1,000 for identity cards. The adults in this country, including President William Ruto, have never paid for an identity card," she stated.

"Why are we punishing our children and grandchildren for turning 18? It is not a crime to attain the legal age. Cut wasteful spending and provide all those who turn 18 with ID cards free of charge."