Kenyans should say no to bribery ahead of the august general elections
By: Rono Erick
Voter bribery has continued to be a repulsive and hideous act affecting Kenyans. It is true to say that majority of Kenyans would take bribes willingly from politicians. Most claim that this action doesn’t cost them since it would not influence their decisions. However research has it that bribery can change a country’s political course and subvert a key component of a functioning democracy. With the august elections on the near, politicians are everywhere trying all they can to ensure that they secure their seats. They take part in this exchange process between them and the voters where they entice the votes with money or favors in exchange of the voters vote.
This costly act has impending consequences which will affect Kenyans. First, it destroys the ability of voters choosing the right leader based on their performances. In other words, the most suitable candidates may not win office. The unruly ones who are incapable and corrupt end up having an upper hand since they know they will bribe their way in. At the end of the day the corrupt leaders will go back to office for the next 5 years and take back what they had given to Kenyans and accumulate much more bribes for the next elections. Vote buying obstructs voter’s democratic rights of choosing the right leaders freely without any interference
As much as this problem seems fateful, Kenyans can decide to take the first step towards fighting bribery. As it is so, it starts with me and you. It is possible to disrupt this practice. Voters can decide not to ask for bribes and refuse to take them if offered. They should be aware that when a candidate chooses to pay for support, rather than compete fairly for votes, they depict a disregard for democratic norms and a willingness to use illegal means. After all, if they see that buying of supporters works during the elections, what will stop them from using that strategy in other areas of governance? Kenyans should not allow poor governance to continue to take hold through voter buying. This corrupt act must stop.
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