Omogambi Nyachae, a seasoned political analyst, has shed light on the staggering costs behind Kenya’s presidential campaigns, revealing why the issue of party agents remains a contentious matter since the 1992 multiparty era.
Nyachae estimates that in the 2022 election, with 46,232 polling stations nationwide, paying agents even a modest KSh 10,000 each would cost campaigns over KSh 460 million — almost half a billion shillings. And this only covers agents at polling stations; tallying centres in all 290 constituencies add yet another layer of expense.
“This is happening in the final stretch of a campaign when finances are already stretched to the limit,” Nyachae explains. “It’s not just about agents; the logistics, travel, media, and ground teams can run into hundreds of millions a day.”
According to Nyachae, an effective campaign targeting multiple counties requires helicopters, vehicles, accommodation, food for teams, event management, sound systems, crowd mobilisation, and advertising — from billboards to branded merchandise. “Covering three to four counties in a single day is a minimum for someone competing against an incumbent like William Ruto, who has the advantage of resources and a nationwide network,” he said.
Nyachae’s assessment highlights why Kenyan elections are not only politically but financially intense exercises. The cost pressures often dictate strategy, influence candidate choices, and explain why the role of party agents continues to spark debate among political players and analysts alike.
“Running a campaign is not child’s play,” he concludes. “It requires meticulous planning, massive resources, and an army of people working behind the scenes.”
