Why campaign finance reforms must look past spending limits as 2027 calls

As Kenya prepares for the 2027 general election, campaign financing has increasingly become synonymous with vote buying rather than supporting democratic participation. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has proposed expenditure ceilings for candidates and parties, but the author argues that spending limits alone cannot address vote buying. The upcoming Olkalou by-election shows early signs of this concern, with reports of cash handouts and gifts to voters. The article emphasizes the need for robust enforcement against electoral bribery beyond spending limits.