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Originally published by The Standard
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July 9, 2026
12h ago

Patronage culture driving Ol Kalou voter bribery, experts say

Patronage culture driving Ol Kalou voter bribery, experts say

Governance experts blame Kenya's patronage culture rather than weak electoral laws for vote buying reported during campaigns ahead of Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election set for July 16...

✨ Key Highlights

Governance experts believe Kenya's ingrained patronage culture, not weak electoral laws, fuels vote buying reported in the lead-up to the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

  • Vote buying, characterized by the distribution of cash, gas cylinders, and water, is undermining free and fair elections ahead of the July 16 by-election.
  • Experts Luciana Thuo, an electoral dispute resolution specialist, and advocate Michael Khisa highlighted the issue on Spice FM.
  • They argue that a patronage-based system creates economic dependency, making voters receptive to handouts, a cultural problem rather than a legal one, despite the Election Offences Act criminalizing bribery.

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