Money is presented as the dominant driver of politics, determining who can run, who gets to win, and whose interests are served after elections, the National Council of Churches of Kenya has warned the Independent Electoral and BoMoney is presented as the dominant driver of politics, determining who can run, who gets to win, and whose interests are served after elections, the National Council of Churches of Kenya has warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.undaries Commission.
The result of this, the NCCK pointed out, political campaigns are expensive investments funded by wealthy individuals, businesses and informal financiers who then extract returns after the polls.
The message was passed during a consultative meeting between the NCCK and IEBC Commissioners during which the NCCK decried the efforts by political leaders to hinder the implementation of the Election Campaigning Financing Act over the last 13 years.
“We strongly recommend that you subject the draft Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026 and  the Determination of the Election Campaign Finance Spending Limits for 2027 General Election” to nationwide public participation within the August 10, 2026 timeline,” Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui, the NCCK General Secretary, said as he read the organization’s Aide Memoir.
The NCCK further urged the IEBC to take action against political actors engaging in voter bribery and economic coercion “with abject impunity”. “There is even a political leader in Ol Kalau capture announcing the amount of money they were given to distribute and confirming they wre taking away the identity cards of those who received the tokens. When will the IEBC take action against such individuals and their political parties for these elections offences?” the NCCK wondered during the meeting.
The IEBC Chairman, Mr Erastus Ethekon, appreciated the issues raised by the NCCK and assured the delegation of IEBC’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
“The Commissioners have gained a lot of learning as we have conducted 32 by elections, which has prepared us for the 2027 General Elections,” Chairman Ethekon said.
Mr Ethekon further pointed out that different electoral laws requiring reforms to safeguard the elections are still being processed by Parliament. Nonetheless, he observed, the problem is usually not the legal framework bur rather the social environment in which elections take place.
Led by Chairman Rev Dr Elias Otieno Agola and General Secretary Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui, the 18-strong NCCK delegation comprised of heads of member churches, senior clergy, youth and women leaders.
