Money, blood and 'romance' dominate latest parties' nomination list

And on account of this skewed nomination, girlfriends, boyfriends, relatives and cronies bagged the coveted slots for nomination, which the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had initially rejected. Some 45 political parties had submitted their lists.

Loyalists, party officials as well as MPs who lost in primaries or were prevailed upon to step down in favour of other candidates, had dominated the list submitted by President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party, Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Raila Odinga's ODM, Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper, Musalia Mudavadi's ANC and Moses Wetangula's Ford Kenya - gobbling up space reserved for special interest groups.

Multiple sources who spoke to The Standard, including those on the final list and others privy to the process - painted an exercise marred with diverse interests from people in powerful positions and desperation from those eyeing the nomination slots in county assemblies and parliament.

"We have authentic reports of people who paid money to secure nomination slots while others nominated their girlfriends and relatives. This is evidenced by some names of people with questionable character featuring on that list alongside people who have never done anything for the parties but somehow secured nominations," said Prof Edward Kisiangani, a political pundit.

The fact that no one glances at the list, except IEBC, makes the matter worse leading to blackmail, underhand dealings and corruption.

In one of the major political parties, a fairly unknown businessperson turned the tables on the veterans who had struck deals with party leadership, emerging number two in the official list of nominees to the national assembly.

Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) offices. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

In the last Parliament, a youthful Senator was nominated following the influence of another long-serving MP on condition that the nominee surrendered half his pay to his political godfather. The nominee finished his term in without making any contribution during debates.

The youthful senator from one of the largest political parties was rarely present at the chambers and neither was he active in political circles.

An ODM legislator said some people nominated to Parliament were unaware of their roles and only earned their positions based on their closeness or relations with some influential politician.

Kisiangani said he had reports that some beneficiaries had to part with as much Sh500,000 to Sh1 million to secure the same. In one instance, a city tycoon paid Sh7 million for his son to be nominated.

"We need people representing special interests groups being nominated to Parliament. I am sorry that in the past and in present cases most of those nominated are only representing personal interests," said the MP.

Another nominee from an Azimio-affiliated party was left dejected despite being nominated for a Senate seat because the parent party is not fielding any senatorial candidate on August 9.

"It is a white lie," the source said. "You have to win seats in the electoral position in which you intend to nominate people."

The source said they had requested to be nominated into the National Assembly courtesy of their closeness to the party leader.

"I did not have to part with money," he went on, saying that "hot cake" nominations offered by big parties that are sure of bagging multiple seats could attract a "fee".

Azimio la Umoja banner. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Party officials and long-term associates of party leadership abundantly featured in the final list by IEBC. The major parties did not want to take chances on the lists, ensuring their top officials who featured in the preparation and submission of lists, came number one in their respective lists.

Others are repeat nominees who despite being politically propelled with a free seat for the last five years, getting the requisite exposure and experience, did not bother to throw their hat in the ring this time round.

Kisiangani now insists all political parties failed in their mandate and did not get it right in the nomination process. This is because they do not have a proper framework to guide who should be nominated for those positions.

"...the registrar of political parties and IEBC reject that list until the parties get everything right," he added.

Dismus Mokua, a Political commentator, was disappointed by the fact that instead of the political parties' nomination list reflecting the parties' priorities and legislative agenda, it reeked of nepotism, favouritism and greed.

"The nomination list composition suggests that party leaders rewarded loyalty, family and friends and did not necessarily pick talent from special interests groups like trade unions, civil society, business and corporate leaders, marginalised communities and persons with disabilities," said Mokua.

The political analyst insists that there is a case for persons with special talent and skills to join political parties and attract party leaders' attention to increase the probability of getting nominated with folks who deserve such nominations tending to give party politics a wide berth.

A number of people disatisfied with the lists are planning to move to the IEBC tribunal.