According to observers from the US Embassy, the recent by-elections in the Bomachoge and Shinyalu districts of Kenya have been marred by extensive vote-buying and bribery. Agents from each of the main parties – Orange Democratic Movement, Party of National Unity and Kenya African Democratic Development Union – have been seen engaging in bribery and buying voting cards.
A statement from the US Embassy said, “The electoral process was marred by improper and illegal ‘old school’ political activities aimed at unduly influencing the electoral outcome. Some of these improper and illegal activities took place in close proximity of polling stations.” Numerous people who had recently enrolled to vote were unable to do so because their names were missing from the register, and around 1000 people were barred from voting because they were found to be engaging in electoral malpractices.
On the other hand, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission succeeded in conducting the elections in a credible and transparent manner, an encouraging sign given the abysmal failure of the previous Electoral Commission. Vote buying persists because of the view of some that the purpose of electing politicians to positions of power is so that they can get at the money, not so that they can govern the country with integrity for the benefit of all citizens.