Overview
Corruption and elections form a vicious cycle in Kenya. Corrupt money finances political campaigns. Winning political office enables the victors to recoup their electoral investment through corruption. The political economy of corruption ensures that those who engage in corruption are rewarded with political power, and those who gain political power are incentivized to engage in corruption.
Electoral Financing Through Corruption
Kenyan elections are expensive. Presidential campaigns cost billions of shillings. Gubernatorial and parliamentary campaigns cost hundreds of millions. Few individuals or organizations have legitimate sources of funds at this scale.
Candidates finance campaigns through illicit channels: (1) money looted from government in the previous administration, (2) bribes paid by businesspeople seeking government contracts, (3) donations from organized crime networks, (4) funds diverted from NGOs or development organizations. Once in office, the victors must recoup these investments and generate profits, creating pressure to engage in corruption.
Investment Recovery Through Office
A businessman who invests KES 500 million in a presidential candidate's campaign expects a return. If the candidate wins, the businessman expects government contracts worth KES 1.5 billion, enabling him to recover his investment with profit. These contracts are obtained through procurement corruption: (1) bid rigging that favors the businessman's companies, (2) inflated contract values, (3) delivery of substandard goods while collecting full payment.
A political operative who finances a gubernatorial campaign expects control over county procurement or the authority to appoint allies to lucrative positions. Once the candidate wins, the operative extracts corruption proceeds from county government.
Power as Revenue Source
Political power is valuable primarily because it generates revenue through corruption. A presidency is worth billions because the president controls billions in government spending and can direct these resources to allies and family. A parliamentary seat is worth hundreds of millions because a legislator can influence procurement in his constituency or pressure government to allocate resources there.
If political power did not generate corruption proceeds, the amount invested in campaigns would be dramatically lower and the candidates would be different.
The Corruption Cycle
The cycle operates as follows: (1) wealthy individuals and corporations finance campaigns, (2) candidates engage in voter buying to secure votes, (3) winner takes office and uses state resources to recoup investments, (4) winner accumulates wealth through corruption, (5) wealth accumulation positions the victor to finance future campaigns or to finance allies' campaigns, (6) the cycle repeats.
This cycle perpetuates wealth inequality and political continuity. The wealthy become wealthier (through corruption gains), while non-wealthy individuals cannot afford campaign financing and therefore cannot compete for political office.
Electoral Periodicity and Corruption Patterns
Kenya's electoral cycle (every five years for major offices) creates a rhythm of corruption. Before elections (12-18 months prior), government spending often increases as officials rush to complete projects or acquire assets that demonstrate development. Some of this spending involves corruption.
In the year before elections, competing candidates begin campaign financing, creating demand for corruption proceeds. Officials in office accelerate corruption to accumulate funds for their own campaigns or to fund allies' campaigns.
After elections, the new administration focuses on recouping campaign investments through corruption in the first 1-2 years. By years 3-4, the government may shift focus to avoiding prosecution of past corruption while trying to govern and prepare for the next election cycle.
International Dimensions
The corruption financing of elections affects Kenya's international relationships. Donors are concerned that government funds are being stolen for campaign financing. Budget support conditions sometimes attempt to restrict government spending in election years.
However, domestic political incentives for corruption typically outweigh international donor concerns. A candidate who forgoes corruption financing because donors disapprove is unlikely to win an election against a candidate who obtains such financing.
See Also
- Corruption in Kenya Overview
- Corruption and Political Finance
- State Capture Kenya
- Corruption Networks Kenya
- Civil Service Salaries and Petty Corruption
- Accountability and Justice