Cash politics roars back as Ruto allies splash millions

Raucous crowds, long queues of elderly women and young people jostling for a share of politicians’ cash handouts, and bundles of millions of shillings that most Kenyans can only dream of have become a familiar sight as politicians, led by President William Ruto and his allies, roll out lavish empowerment drives ahead of next year's General Election.

With about a year remaining before the next General Election, the politicians are leaving nothing to chance and have unleashed a season of mega handouts aimed at winning public support through freebies and cash donations. Crowds now expect that with every visit or rally, they will receive handouts.

While on paper, the amounts often run into millions, some of the beneficiaries claim they walk away with as little as Sh200 after the money is shared amongst themselves

"Poor Kenya! Who bewitched us? We cannot even pay civil servants. We can't fuel or repair government vehicles. We are weighed down by pending bills. The government has asked suppliers not to invoice. It is hiding the true magnitude of the debt. SHA is in shambles. State finances are chaotic," said strategic and political communications consultant Barack Muluka.

The saying goes that the more things change, the more they remain the same, and this appears to be the playbook President Ruto has embraced as he dishes out millions of shillings to voters to complement his litany of promises and project launches. At almost every fundraising event, his personal contribution is publicly announced by his allies.

Observers believe the handouts are gaining notoriety but warn that they present a poisoned chalice that could entrench corruption well beyond the 2027 General Election. Yet few seem concerned. The cash continues to flow, and the long queues for handouts appear to trouble no one. For the political class, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate personal wealth.

Yesterday, for instance, there were about five empowerment programmes in Nyanza and Western Kenya alone, each involving donations worth millions of shillings from political leaders.

In Homa Bay, the region's new Mr Moneybags, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, led a fundraising drive where he donated Sh2 million at an event that raised Sh8.1 million. He was accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, who each donated Sh1 million. Earlier, Ichung'wah and Cheruiyot had attended a separate empowerment programme in Vihiga.

During the event, the leaders rallied support for President Ruto's re-election and urged the region to begin preparing for the 2032 General Election.

"We will support Ruto for his re-election in 2027," said Mbadi.

In Vihiga, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo donated Sh4 million to boda boda operators through the Vihiga County boda boda leadership during a forum with riders. Leaders accompanying him contributed between Sh20,000 and Sh100,000.

Across the region, Ruto's allies, led by his aide Farouk Kibet and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, are spearheading similar drives, dishing out cash and urging residents to support the President's re-election. Yesterday, Kibet donated Sh1 million to youths in Eldoret and Sh2 million to women hawkers.

The display of wealth reached its peak last weekend when Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, while hosting a women's empowerment drive, donated Sh10 million at an event that raised more than Sh35 million. Ironically, some of his constituents had recently accused him of being an absentee MP for allegedly failing to visit the constituency or implement notable development projects.

Other big spenders whose generosity left many astonished included Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who donated Sh1 million.

At some events, the money is later shared among attendees. For instance, a recent empowerment drive for boda boda operators in Kisumu saw each boda boda SACCO receive Sh100,000.

For Ruto, however, the strategy is familiar. He adopted it in 2018 when he launched an early campaign to succeed his former boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. Supporters see it as an effective way of providing temporary relief to struggling Kenyans, but critics warn it is a recipe for long-term economic problems.

In a country where campaign spending limits for politicians remain largely unenforced, Ruto and his allies appear to have a free hand.

"Economic empowerment drives should be better institutionalised so that they do not appear to be 2027 vote-buying initiatives," argued communications researcher Prof Charles Nyambuga.

Within ODM, party leader Oburu Oginga has recently faced difficulties during public engagements as youths increasingly demand handouts. Last weekend, he was forced to cut short his speech in Siaya while addressing teachers after a section of youths began demanding money.

National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro has repeatedly defended the practice, arguing that elected leaders have an obligation to give handouts to wananchi and portraying it as a measure of leadership and electability.

"If you go to address the people and you do not want to give them even a small amount of money, then you are not fit to be elected. Wananchi should be careful when choosing leaders who keep snakes in their pockets," Osoro has said on several occasions, using the phrase to describe leaders unwilling to part with their money.

Yesterday, a section of MPs defended the empowerment drives, with Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo dismissing claims that they promote a handout culture.

"It is a good programme. I wish it could be replicated in all constituencies for the benefit of women. In my constituency alone, we raised about Sh20 million for 10,000 women," Gogo said.

According to the legislator, even as little as Sh2,000 can help women at the grassroots expand their small businesses.

Kuria East MP Maisori Kitayama argued that while the trickle-down economic model has its place, leaders can also empower citizens directly.

"This country has long been run through decisions made in Nairobi, with people expected to wait for the trickle-down effect before they can benefit," Kitayama said.