- The IEBC is drowning in legal debts amounting to over Sh2.1 billion, including Sh441 million in unpaid costs.
- CEO Marjan Hussein risks civil jail for contempt over non-payment of these fees.
- A large chunk of the debt is linked to the 2022 presidential election petition.
- The commission warns its work could stall without urgent financial help.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is staring at a serious financial meltdown. CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan told the Senate on Thursday that he could be jailed for contempt of court after failing to settle over Sh441 million in legal costs.
Marjan said the commission is currently weighed down by legal bills totalling Sh2.1 billion. He warned that more cases are wrapping up soon, which could push the figure even higher before the end of this financial year.
Out of the total legal debt, Sh554 million comes from the 2022 presidential election petition that challenged President Ruto’s win. IEBC has negotiated some reductions—about Sh642 million—but Marjan noted final court decisions could raise the total cost again.
IEBC’s problems go beyond legal bills. The commission owes Sh3.79 billion in total pending bills, including nearly Sh299 million to the Postal Corporation and another Sh838 million to suppliers who supported the 2022 General Election.
Risk of Auction and Shutdown
Marjan warned that failure to clear the debts could see IEBC’s assets auctioned, making it impossible to carry out even basic election duties. He blamed the crisis on consistent underfunding by the National Treasury.
He said the funds allocated for 2024–2025 won’t be enough to clear the debts. Without more money, the commission might not be able to run by-elections or maintain normal operations as vendors are likely to walk away.
The Senate’s legal committee, led by Senator Hillary Sigei, is now under pressure to push for urgent solutions. These could include new laws or emergency funds to keep the IEBC functioning.
Even as IEBC looks ahead to the 2027 General Election with a proposed Sh57.4 billion budget, the growing debt is threatening its ability to prepare. “If we don’t act now, we risk failure in the next election cycle,” Marjan warned.
