The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has urged religious leaders to reject and refrain from legitimising illicit funds ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that dirty money could distort voters’ choices and fuel corruption in government.
EACC Chairperson David Oginde said politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later be pressured to reward their financiers through corrupt government deals.
Oginde warned that such arrangements could lead to inflated tenders, manipulated procurement processes and other forms of corruption once candidates secure political office.
“There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources,” Oginde said.
He was speaking at the National Stakeholders’ Convention at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, where he addressed delegates on “Corruption and Politics in Kenya: How Illicit Money Drives Democracy and Viable Mitigations.”
Oginde said election campaigns should be based on leadership, values and principles rather than the financial strength of candidates.
He cautioned that the use of illicit wealth in campaigns gives wealthy candidates an unfair advantage and undermines voters’ ability to elect leaders based on merit.
The EACC chairperson said religious leaders have an important role to play in promoting integrity by refusing to endorse or legitimise resources obtained through illegal means.
The warning comes as stakeholders begin preparations aimed at safeguarding the 2027 electoral cycle and promoting credible and peaceful elections.
The convention was organised by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
More than 150 stakeholders are taking part in the convention, which seeks to promote credible, peaceful and democratic elections.
The forum is also developing strategies to protect the electoral process from practices that could undermine its integrity.
Oginde's remarks placed the financing of political campaigns at the centre of concerns over corruption and democratic accountability.
He warned that candidates who rely on questionable sources of funding risk creating obligations to individuals who finance their campaigns.
Such arrangements can undermine public procurement and expose government institutions to manipulation when successful candidates assume office.
The EACC chairperson called for a political environment in which voters assess candidates on their leadership qualities, values and principles rather than their ability to spend large amounts of money during campaigns.
The stakeholders’ convention is expected to strengthen cooperation among religious organisations and other actors in promoting electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 polls.
The organisers are seeking to equip stakeholders with strategies to encourage peaceful participation and protect the democratic process.
The meeting also highlights the role of religious institutions in promoting ethical leadership and discouraging practices that could compromise elections. With preparations for the 2027 General Election gaining momentum, the stakeholders are focusing on measures that can help ensure voters make informed choices free from the influence of illicit money.