Kenya wants to redo mapping of its boundaries but it won't be cheap

Kenyans will have to shoulder close to Sh10 billion for mapping out of boundaries.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is seeking Sh8 billion ($80m) to conduct a second review of constituency and ward boundaries.

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati told Parliament’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) on Thursday that the review is slated for between this month and August 3, 2021.

“The commission shall however review the number, names and boundaries of wards periodically,” he said.

The review must be completed at least 12 months before a parliamentary election.

Currently, Kenyan has 290 constituencies and 1,450 county assembly wards which were created by IEBC during its first review conducted in 2010.

Mr. Chebukati told the House team chaired by Ndaragwa Member of Parliament Jeremiah Kioni that the commission will rely on census data, slated to be generated next year, to draw the boundaries.

Article 89 of the Constitution requires the IEBC to review names and boundaries of constituencies and wards at intervals of not less than eight and not more than 12 years.