This archive report was first published on 28 August 2021.
Kenya's Constitution celebrated its eleventh birthday on August 27, 2017, marking a significant milestone in the country's democratic journey. However, the constitutional moment has given way to a looming political moment, and it is crucial that we do not lose sight of the challenges that lie ahead.
Two recent reports offer profound insights into voters' perceptions and electoral campaigns. The Transparency International Kenya's survey on citizens' perceptions of ethical leadership and the South Consulting Cost of Politics in Kenya report highlight the need for a more informed and responsible electorate.
According to the Transparency International Kenya's survey, 81% of voters prefer candidates with manifestos, while 82% are unlikely to vote for someone with a history of corruption. However, 59% of voters still accept bribes, and 25% believe that corrupt individuals should be allowed to vie for political office.
The astronomical cost of campaigning is another major challenge, with successful candidates spending Sh49 million campaigning for senatorial positions, Sh32 million for woman representatives, Sh21 million for MPs, and Sh4 million for MCAs in 2017. In contrast, those who lost spent less than half these amounts.
Activist Boniface Mwangi's recent decision not to run in the next election is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by young, women, and persons with disabilities who lack the resources to compete in the current electoral landscape.
To create a level playing field for all leaders, we must give up our apathy towards elective politics and negative voting. Accepting bribes, such as the one-off Sh500 bribe, will eventually allow thieves to take off with the national budget of Sh3 trillion.
MPs can vote for the Election Campaign Financing (Amendment) Bill and new IEBC regulations that will strengthen public disclosure and monitoring of financing sources and expenditure. The IEBC must also move to enforcement, and political parties can invest in their capacities to enforce codes of conduct regulating illicit funds and dirty candidates.
As Wangari Maathai would remind us, a mind that knows itself, values, and understands itself cannot be enslaved. It is time for Kenya to break free from the cycle of poor leadership and embrace a new era of deep ideas and transparency.
