A new survey has ignited fresh debate about the state of political mobilization in Kenya after revealing that nearly half of Kenyans who have attended political rallies since the 2022 General Election received money or other incentives to show up.
The findings, released by research firm Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA), indicate that about 49 per cent of rally attendees were given cash, food, transport money or other handouts as a “token of appreciation” for attending political events. The study clarifies that this figure applies only to people who attended rallies, not to the general population.
According to the survey, the practice remains widespread across the country, though it varies by region. Some areas reported higher instances of handouts, reflecting long-standing campaign strategies where politicians rely on incentives to draw crowds and demonstrate popularity.
Political analysts say the findings expose a deeper problem in Kenya’s democracy, where rallies are often used as a show of political strength rather than genuine platforms for public engagement. Critics argue that paid attendance distorts the true level of public support and undermines issue-based politics.
“Crowds have become currency in Kenyan politics,” said one governance expert. “When people are paid to attend, rallies stop being a reflection of voter enthusiasm and instead become staged performances.”
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While the law prohibits voter bribery during elections, handouts at political rallies outside the official campaign period often fall into a grey area, allowing the practice to continue largely unchecked. Many politicians defend the incentives as facilitation for transport or food, while critics see them as subtle inducements that normalize dependency politics.
The TIFA survey also suggests that a significant number of Kenyans avoid political rallies altogether, citing economic hardship, political fatigue and lack of trust in leaders. This further underscores that the “50 per cent” figure does not represent all Kenyans, but rather highlights behavior among those already drawn into rally culture.
As the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election, the report is likely to fuel renewed calls for reforms aimed at curbing handouts and encouraging issue-driven political participation. Whether leaders will abandon crowd-for-cash politics, however, remains an open question.
