The recent developments in Kenyan politics point to a new trend that is emerging which is set to change the country’s political scene. We have been used to party politics being the major bargaining power and it was more evident when party hopping was being dealt with. In each and every general elections, we have witnessed different political candidates tussling each other for power through various means.
Just to begin with, the Jubilee party merger is a move that is set to solidify the party’s strongholds ahead of the 2017 elections. Many candidates in the party who may not make it in party nominations do not know their fate. The same with CORD.
Already the bill barring politicians from hoping from one political party to another is already in place. This then means that as a candidate when you loose out in the nominations, your target of reaching the ballot is cut short completely. This is not a good story for those who maybe warming up for their last general elections, and depend on party hopping.
One tough issue is maintaining party loyalty in the coming elections. Many candidates who will lose the nominations may remain with nothing. Will they still back their parties even if they will have been taught a political lesson during the party nominations? Furthermore, we may have a situation where a certain candidate is imposed to voters against their will. For instance, some counties may not be willing to re-elect their sitting governors but since they have no alternative they may vote for them.
Finally, these candidates who are afraid of what may transpire before, during and after elections may resort to jostle their political foray as independent candidates. Fortunately Kenyan politics is slowly changing as voters may not be interested in the party but rather the ideas a candidate has. This then gives birth to new breed of Kenyan politics where independent candidates will fight fairly against their political arch rivals affiliated to political parties and alliances. The only problem is for these candidates will be evident when they lose funding and sufficient money, and they will be forced to watch from a distance as politicians dish out money and establish themselves during campaigns.
