Election campaign starts in Kenya, Maraga

According to the Election Observatory Group (ELOG), which monitors the electoral process in Kenya, MPs spent more than 30 million Kenyan shillings each to win seats in the 2022 parliamentary elections. Politicians and candidates for political office appreciate this practice because poverty and lack of political education make poor voters more susceptible to political manipulation. This practice is maintained by politicians to control the public, thereby making the voters themselves victims of this corrupt system. In the 2022 Kenyan parliamentary elections, it was common for candidates to spend considerable sums, and the expenses for a seat in parliament were well over 30 million Kenyan shillings (approximately US$250,000, 2022 exchange rate) for many. The Independent Election Commission of Kenya (IEBC) set a spending limit of 5.2 million Kenyan shillings (approx. 43,000 USD) for constituency candidates and 13.3 million Kenyan shillings (approx. 110,000 USD) for senators and governors for the 2022 parliamentary elections. These limits were massively exceeded by the vast majority of candidates in practice. Estimates and media reports suggest that actual spending averaged five to ten times the limit. Where do the figures come from? Estimates and reports. The NGO Mzalendo Trust, which oversees the election process, estimated that a candidate for a seat in the National Assembly had to spend an average of at least 30-50 million KSh to be seriously competitive. In hotly contested or urban constituencies (such as Nairobi, Mombasa or the Rift Valley), spending could easily rise above 100 million KSh. A report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) highlighted these exorbitant costs, which were often financed through donations, personal wealth, or loans. What will the money be spent on? For an election campaign team. Payment for consultants, strategists, field workers, and security personnel. Then there's the logistics, vehicles, fuel, and helicopter charter (especially in large, rural areas). Promotional gifts and "charity" are essential. This is a particularly controversial practice. It includes direct monetary or in-kind gifts (food, clothing, school fees), the financing of funerals or community projects, all aimed at "persuading" voters. This form of clientelistic politics is widespread. And let's not forget the media and advertising. Production of posters, T-shirts, radio spots, social media campaigns. Mobilization of events. Organization of large rallies with transport, stages, music and often payment for participants. Security measures and "bribes". There are also reports of payments to local militias or informal groups to secure support or disrupt the opponent's campaign. The consequence of these high expenditures is that they create a barrier for new candidates. They establish a high barrier to entry for political newcomers, women, and candidates without wealthy backers or their own financial resources. It favors wealthy businesspeople or established politicians who often use their office to make investments and finance their election campaigns. To recoup the millions invested, elected officials are often tempted to enrich themselves through corruption or cronyism during their term in office. This undermines good governance and development. Many candidates take on massive debt for their campaigns. This can make them vulnerable to interference from creditors or force them to sell off their assets. This reflects a central problem in Kenyan politics. Spending has systematically exceeded legal limits, with 30 million KSh being a conservative estimate for a competitive election campaign. These high costs contribute to a political system often driven by money and patronage rather than political programs and ideas. However, as a sign of change in the run-up to the 2027 parliamentary elections, presidential candidate David Maraga, a former chief justice, has already raised 8 million Kenyan shillings through online donations for his election campaign. David Maraga is a prominent Kenyan jurist and former Chief Justice. He is known for his integrity and landmark rulings during his tenure. David Kenani Maraga was born on January 12, 1951, and earned his Bachelor's and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Nairobi, as well as a diploma from the Kenya School of Law. Before entering the judiciary, he ran a private law firm in Nakuru for over 25 years, specializing in civil, criminal, and real estate law. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 2003, moved to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and chaired the Judicial Committee for Elections. In October 2016, he became Kenya's 14th Chief Justice and remained in office until his retirement in January 2021. Maraga led the Supreme Court in annulling the 2017 presidential elections—the first ruling of its kind in Africa—due to irregularities, earning praise for his judicial independence. He also recommended the dissolution of parliament for gender equality violations and spearheaded Supreme Court reform, including judicial reforms such as electronic document filing and the reduction of case backlogs. After his retirement, Maraga chaired the Senate Judiciary and Legal Affairs Committee and mediated in impeachment cases. He launched a presidential campaign for 2027 focusing on justice, integrity, and development. A devout Seventh-day Adventist, he remains active in the church. Until recently, the total amount of donations was 7.75 million Kenyan shillings from 1,834 supporters and other people who encouraged him via a special payment number. Kenyans abroad have made the largest donations, totaling over 6 million Kenyan shillings, while Maraga herself has pledged between 1 and 2 million Kenyan shillings. He also promised his supporters transparency in all expenditures and that surpluses would flow into public projects.