Encouraging electors to accept campaign funds is deemed immoral, asserted Mr. Gachagua

In the political landscape of Kenya, a nation known for its vibrant democracy, a political dilemma has emerged. This dilemma, centred around the strategies of Rigathi Gachagua, a Kenyan politician popularly known as "the truthful man from Wamunyoro" or "Riggy G", as he runs for political office, is raising ethical questions and posing a challenge to the integrity of Kenyan politics.

Gachagua's approach, which encourages voters to seek campaign money, has been met with controversy. This strategy, while potentially beneficial for individual supporters, risks undermining public ethics in Kenya's systems of governance. The use of money to buy loyalty in politics can kill patriotism and turn voter civic responsibility on its head.

The culture of handouts has been normalized over the years, posing a risk of promoting political immorality. In Kenya, during the campaign period, candidates often distribute cash to poverty-stricken voters, providing a feel-good moment. However, this practice, when viewed through a broader lens, can be seen as a form of voter manipulation, a trend that tends to determine winners in Kenyan elections.

Gachagua, in his pursuit of political office, is attempting to advance his campaign without falling into political moral pitfalls. He encourages supporters to seek campaign money from the State House, but to "sing Wantam" once they are out of power, a reference to the Kenyan national anthem, raising ethical questions about the role of money in politics and the potential for political opportunism.

The contradiction of political opportunism and exercising political freedom of choice poses a political dilemma for voters. Voting should never be based on tokenism, patronage, or disguised philanthropy. Encouraging supporters to accept campaign money undermines the dignity of political institutions and could be interpreted as permission to seek free money or services.

Many Kenyans, not just the poor, seek campaign money, often seeing it as something they deserve despite not having earned it. This trend, if left unchecked, could normalize corruption and further erode the democratic integrity of Kenya's political system.

As the debate surrounding Gachagua's campaign strategies continues, it is clear that the topic of political ethics and the role of money in politics is a pressing concern for Kenyan society. Dr Mokua, the Executive Director of Loyola Centre for Media and Communication, has emphasized the need for Gachagua, as a man who preaches a new national beginning, to fight political opportunism to build public ethics in governance.

In conclusion, the strategies employed by Rigathi Gachagua in his campaign for political office present a complex political dilemma. While they may offer short-term benefits, they risk undermining the democratic integrity of Kenya's political system and promoting corruption. It is crucial for Kenyan politics to move away from transactional politics and towards a more ethical and development-focused approach.