Brave yourself, we're paying for the money stolen for campaigns

Barack Muluka

We are beginning to feel the pinch of unrestrained money in politics in Kenya. The cost of living crisis in the wake of a new 16 per cent VAT on fuel is only the tip of an ugly iceberg. The country is at a critical crossroads. It must revisit its collective attitude towards money in politics. This is the mother of all corruption. Political money is the prime mover of the social and economic rot.

Eleven years ago, my friend PLO Lumumba and I deceived ourselves with the thought that we could go into competitive politics. Lumumba ran in Kamukunji in Nairobi, while I was in Khwisero in Kakamega. We stared at rot in the eye. The decay was everywhere. In street corners were prepubescent boys and girls flagging down vehicles. They screamed out for handouts. Men and women left their chores, to menacingly demand money from just about any motorist.