The money factor in 2013 poll contest

By Juma Kwayera

Failure by Parliament to enact the law compelling parties and candidates to declare sources of their campaign funds has created an avenue for illicit cash, with allegations emerging some political deals are settled for as high as Sh11 billion.

In a situation that bears a semblance of money-laundering, this year’s election campaigns promise to be the most expensive as politicians craft unions that were three months ago unimaginable.

This is despite the fact that the commission of inquiry that investigated the conduct of the 2007 elections warned over risks posed by unregulated money in Kenya’s elections.

It is estimated the last presidential election cost ODM and PNU more than Sh6 billion. Nearly all parties admit electoral fraud is rampant but none is willing to discuss the details.

Although excess liquidity is known to be disruptive in Kenya’s politics, the Legislature has been slow to enact laws to curb the vice.

Roads minister Franklin Bett, who heads the ODM National Elections Board, admits that money, not policies or ideologies determines election outcomes.

“In every document we fill, we say we are a God-fearing nation, but our moral fibre is rotten and we should not pretend to be upright. Dirty money drives Kenyan politics and it is futile to pass laws we are not going to respect. We have done so in the past when we enacted a law to compel public office holders to declare their wealth. Do we ever respect the laws we enact? It is a futile exercise,” argues Bett, the outgoing Bureti MP.

Poll outcomes

After parties began crafting coalitions nearly two months ago, money and power as determinants of election outcomes has become part and parcel of electioneering.

Last week, the discourse was thrust into public domain following reports The National Alliance (TNA) war chest is the largest with at least Sh10 billion set aside for its campaigns. This follows allegations that TNA earned the backing of William Ruto and his United Republican Party  after agreeing to reimburse him what he had spent on his presidential bid estimated to be between Sh6 billion and Sh11 billion.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s spokesman Munyori Buku termed as fantasy figures that found room in current political discourse.

Mr Buku, in a statement, responded to the allegations thus: “The Sh10 billion claim is a fantasy and the creation of a fertile imagination. No wonder views of the presidential campaign team were not sought. For the record, the Uhuru presidential campaign is anchored on the message of reconciliation, national unity and cohesion, transparency and economic transformation.”

Asked if the deal between ODM, arguably one of the most resourced parties in the current campaigns is flexing its financial muscle to intimidate allies, Bett flatly said: “I am not aware. At personal level, I have tried to ensure that I do not own fraudulently acquired plots and other property. When I am walking in the streets or riding a motor bike, I do not have to look behind in fear,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum too has been linked to big money. Asked if the DPM would open UDF’s books for inspection, his spokesman Kibisu Kabatesi answered in the affirmative.

Fair elections

“We are open to scrutiny because the party leader supports integrity, transparency and fair elections. If leaders are going to buy power, then what kind of leadership is he going to offer? Parties that don’t want to disclose their election budget of flaunting money as a campaign strategy are anchored on corruption and will not rein in the vice until they recoup their investment in power,” explains Kabtesi.

Party insiders say the fragile unions are oiled by money, with the weak being forced to perch on the backs candidates with inexhaustible financial resources or simply sell their presidential ambitions.

The money factor, like in past elections, has become critical in cobbling coalitions that have seen hitherto nemeses Uhuru and Ruto run as Jubilee Coalition presidential candidate and running mate respectively.

In his report on the conduct of the last elections, South African retired judge Johann Kriegler noted: “It is also important to record repeated reports of rampant bribery, vote buying, intimidation, abuse of government resources (human and material), partiality and incompetence of ECK field staff.”

Asked about the money movement in current campaign, UDF founder member George Nyamweya acknowledged the threat money poses to democracy.

Cash changing hands

According to Nyamweya, allegations of money changing hands should be investigated, as it is potential source of instability if candidates are paid to forfeit the quest for presidency.

Nyamweya, who has been at the centre of alliances formed since the restoration of political pluralism recalls how some presidential ambitions have in the past been surrendered in exchange for money. A DP founder member who drew the attention of The Standard on Sunday to the scale of money laundering in the current campaigns regrets that pluralism had escalated corruption to monstrous levels.

“There is a clique in Kenya that will never allow power to be in the hands of any other person. It will buy at whatever cost because it understands that political power also means economic and cultural domination,” says the retired politician, who was instrumental in struggle for independence alongside founding President Kenyatta.