Voter Bribery Still Shapes Kenya’s Elections, Study Finds

Voter bribery continues to influence electoral behaviour in Kenya, with cash handouts shaping how some citizens engage in political contests.

Daniel Mose, a logistics manager in his sixties, says he has repeatedly seen politicians distribute money during campaigns and even on election day. Although he does not depend on such payments, he acknowledges that many people accept them when offered. He points to unemployed youth as particularly vulnerable, given their financial circumstances.

Data from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) indicates that men are more likely than women to be offered money in exchange for votes. Tobias, a driver in Nairobi, links this pattern to social expectations. He explains that men often feel pressure to provide for their families, which can make them more willing to accept such payments regardless of their source.

Political mobilisers report that gender assumptions influence how bribes are allocated. Auma, who works in grassroots mobilisation, says politicians often view women as consistent supporters who will vote without inducement. As a result, men and young people are more frequently targeted and tend to receive larger sums. Despite this, women are often among the most reliable voters, arriving early at polling stations.

Governance specialist Stella Agara connects these patterns to wider structural inequalities. She notes that income disparities between men and women are reflected in informal practices such as voter bribery. Men are more likely to access political networks where money is exchanged, while women’s caregiving roles can limit their involvement. 

Agara adds that voter bribery weakens democratic accountability. She points out that transporting voters to areas where they do not live disrupts the relationship between elected leaders and local communities. This, she says, undermines the purpose of elections as a means of choosing representatives who are answerable to their constituents.

She further emphasises the role of campaign finance regulations. Effective enforcement can limit excessive spending, reduce incentives for bribery, and create more equal conditions for candidates. Without such controls, candidates supported by financial backers may seek to secure victory through any available means, including corrupt practices.