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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: KENYA ELECTION COSTS (TV)
HEADLINE: Unregulated Election Campaign Spending Disenfranchises Youth, Women in Kenyan Politics
TEASER: Spending in Kenya's election was among the highest in the world, raising concerns about the impact on democratic development.
PUBLISHED: 8/5/2022 AT 5:20PM
BYLINE: Juma Majanga
DATELINE: Nairobi, Kenya
VIDEOGRAPHER: Juma Majanga
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:35
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[Candidates in Kenya's August 9 presidential election are wrapping up their campaigns after parties spent heavily in often lavish displays of wealth. Despite economic woes, and a massive rich-poor gap, spending in Kenya's election was among the highest in the world, raising concerns about its impact on the nation’s democratic development. Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi, Kenya.]]
((NARRATOR))
In the air, on the ground … the lavish display of wealth in Kenya’s August 9 elections is almost unmatched, say experts.
((Dr. Thomas Wolf, Political Researcher and Pollster ((English, 13 secs))
“Kenyan elections are among the most expensive in the world in terms of the cost provoked by the electoral management body (IEBC), but also in terms of on-the-ground financing.”
((Derrick Makhandia, Transparency International Kenya ((English, 16 secs))
“It’ll cost you a bit more than 4 billion Kenyan shillings ($33.5 million) just to become a president.
((NARRATOR))
Four-billion shillings is about 33.5 million U.S. dollars.
A race for governor runs about $336-thousand and a bid for parliament roughly $168- thousand, according to Transparency International in Kenya.
Critics say the high cost of running for political office in Kenya has disenfranchised special groups like women, the young and persons living with disabilities.
Beth Ngunyi is running for parliament in Kirinyaga County, her fourth attempt as an independent. She says it is too costly to run as a candidate for a political party because of the high nomination fee required.
((Beth Ngunyi, Parliament Candidate for Kirinyaga County (English, 23 secs))
"The higher the seat, the higher the money they demand. And you’ve got to give them because if you don’t give them, they won’t even allow you to address the gatherings."
((NARRATOR))
Political campaigns around the world are inherently expensive. But observers say in Kenya campaigns are largely unchecked and unregulated.
Because many people live below the poverty line, observers say voters are more susceptible to bribery by wealthy politicians, fueling a cycle of government corruption.
((Derrick Makhandia, Transparency International Kenya ((English, 23 secs))
"Because of this unregulated spending, those in power always look towards corruption as a reliable source of money for their campaigns because they cannot afford to use their money, that would be too risky. What if they failed?"
((NARRATOR))
The Kenyan 2010 constitution requires the country’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to develop campaign financing and spending regulations. All attempts by the commission have been rejected by parliament.
Unless checks and balances are put in place, observers say politics in Kenya will largely remain a preserve of the rich.
((Juma Majanga, for VOA News, Nairobi, Kenya.))
NewsML Media TopicsPolitics
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateAugust 5, 2022 17:17 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
