The sudden display of opulence by government-allied politicians, with just a year to next year’s General Election, sends a disturbing signal. Politicians, who like everybody else seemed to be struggling to meet their financial commitments, are now flashing bundles of crisp currency notes at funds drives.
While the recipients are smiling at the fortune that has been elusive for a long time, this is also fuelling public anger. Before the politicians in the broad-based government of President William Ruto’s UDA and the Oburu Oginga-led ODM started splashing the Sh1,000 notes, some empowerment programmes for women’s and youth groups and boda boda associations had been going on.
The real intention is, of course, to entice the would-be recipients for their votes. The lavish fundraisers are raising serious concern about corruption as the main source of campaign financing. Every weekend, helicopters ferrying politicians and bags stuffed with currency notes have become a common sight.
The political donations are apparently meant to power President Ruto’s offensive in the Nyanza region in his bid for his second and final five-year term. Politicians, who previously donated modest amounts, have been contributing millions of shillings at fundraising events and “empowerment programmes”, as they campaign for President Ruto’s re-election.
Parliamentary Minority Leader Junet Mohamed raised eyebrows by donating Sh10 million in cash to a women’s group in his Suna constituency. National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi gave Sh1.5 million, and the President sent Sh10 million.
This blatant extravagance clashes sharply with the daily financial struggles of ordinary citizens amid high costs of living. The huge donations are prompting calls for forensic audits and investigations. Weak conflict-of-interest regulations and loopholes allow individuals close to power to loot public coffers. The suspect heavy spending often distorts democratic competition, giving some people an unfair advantage over others at the ballot box.
Disguised as empowerment programmes, these political donations appear meant to entrench a culture of hand-outs rather than promoting development initiatives. They should be strictly monitored to curb abuse.
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