Matiang’i warns voter bribery will surge as 2027 campaigns loom
By Kiprono Keileb, September 18, 2025Former interior CS Fred Matiang’i, a declared 2027 presidential hopeful, has issued a stark warning to Kenyans about the looming wave of voter bribery as the next general election approaches.
Speaking on a local television station during a political talk show on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Matiang’i pointed to the absence of strict campaign financing laws as a key driver of early electoral corruption.
“The people who enact Campaign Financing laws are the greatest offenders. They would not enact it. That is why you see that bribery has started 2 years before an election, and I keep telling Kenyans, you ain’t seeing nothing yet,” Matiang’i said, highlighting how the lack of regulatory enforcement has allowed unethical practices to take root well ahead of the official campaign period.
The former CS had earlier remarked that the election season is always marked by the same cycle of lies and theatrics.
Matiang’i stressed that the responsibility to address this growing challenge now lies with the Kenyan people themselves.
“It is upon Kenyans now to decide, we have chosen democracy, tutaenda kwa wakenya tuwaeleze, which kind of Kenya do you want? I believe they want serious work to be done,” he added, emphasising that citizens must be vigilant and deliberate in shaping the kind of leadership they desire.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary has been vocal about the need for accountability and ethical standards in political campaigns. His latest remarks underscore concerns that unchecked campaign financing can distort electoral competition, giving an advantage to candidates willing to exploit voters financially rather than through policies or performance.
He also emphasised the need for a trustworthy and honest leader to deliver public services.
Matiang’i’s warning comes at a time when political activity is gradually ramping up across the country, with aspirants beginning to lay the groundwork for their 2027 campaigns. Observers note that early voter engagement can be positive, but the surge in bribery threatens to undermine the democratic process and erode public trust in elections.
By directly linking early electoral bribery to the failure to enact and enforce campaign financing legislation, Matiang’i has called on the electorate to be more discerning and proactive. His message frames the 2027 election not merely as a contest of political ambition but as a defining moment for Kenya’s democratic integrity.
As the nation edges closer to the next polls, Matiang’i’s caution serves as a reminder that the power to shape fair and credible elections ultimately rests with the voters, and that the choices Kenyans make today will determine the future trajectory of their democracy.