As Kenya gears up for the 2027 general elections, political campaigns across the country are intensifying, with candidates scrambling to mobilize resources to reach voters.
In an environment where financial muscle often dictates campaign visibility, candidates without adequate funds risk falling behind, struggling to maintain both momentum and credibility.
According to the Star newspaper’s Corridors of Power column, a former county governor is reportedly facing severe financial challenges as he seeks to reclaim a parliamentary seat.
Sources suggest that the ex-governor has allegedly exhausted his campaign funds even before official electioneering begins, leaving him unable to pay his aides and security personnel for the past three months.
The funding shortfall has reportedly triggered tensions on the ground. A group of local youths allegedly stoned his convoy, frustrated by unpaid handouts promised during pre-campaign outreach.
The incident shows the delicate balance between grassroots engagement and campaign financing, highlighting how unpaid commitments can quickly escalate into public confrontations.
Insiders say the ex-county boss’s campaign team has started deserting him, further complicating efforts to regain political footing.
The combination of low funds, angry constituents, and dwindling staff raises questions about the sustainability of his campaign and whether he will ultimately make it to the ballot when nominations open.
This situation reflects a broader challenge in Kenyan politics, where the cost of running competitive campaigns has soared.
Candidates are often forced to rely on personal wealth, donor support, or party machinery, and those unable to mobilize these resources face a steep uphill battle.
The coming months will reveal whether the former governor can overcome these hurdles or if financial constraints will derail his political comeback, setting a cautionary example for other aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.