Bribes and prayers menu for 2017 ballot

In 2013 Suleiman Shahbal ran for the gubernatorial seat in Mombasa County on a Wiper ticket.

His campaign was sober, focused and inclusive.

He lost the election, however, to Hassan Ali Joho, a result that was upheld by both the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Shahbal had claimed that widespread rigging and bribery took place.

Shahbal joined Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) in 2015 and last weekend he said publicly that JAP will use force, bribery and theft to ensure that they win the 2017 general election.

Majority Leader Adan Duale and Deputy President William Ruto were both present at the Kilifi rally but neither gentleman challenged or contradicted his reckless criminal remarks.

In effect, their silence sanctioned Shahbal’s threats and contempt for the democratic process.

'GENEROUS DONATIONS'

Mr Shahbal and his party were unashamedly telling Kenyans that registering as voters and casting their ballot was a futile exercise because JAP would unleash force and rig the ballot if bribery didn’t work.

Put another way, voters will be no obstacle to the incumbents winning the ballot.

But bribery would appear to be the first and preferred option for a party that is awash with cash.

While Mr Ruto’s allies spend weekends at prayer rallies to intercede for their boss over his tribulations in The Hague, the DP takes his prayers and cash directly to churches.

Mr Ruto spreads his millions around — in a manner reminiscent of his mentor, Mr Moi — but he appears to keep his largest contributions for the Catholic Church.

Priests and prelates receive the ‘generous donations’ with smiles for the cameras while Mr Ruto preaches about the evils of corruption standing before the tabernacle.

PAPA'S WORDS TRAMPLED

The other day I watched the DP giving two Bishops a stash of money in a briefcase that looked for all the world like a priest’s mobile mass kit.

It was a pathetic sight. Is this the price of the Hierarchy’s silence over the looted NYS millions and the Eurobond, Anglo Leasing and SGR billions?

What did Francis tell the youth in Kasarani about corruption or has the church also caught diabetes?

There are many questions about the source of Mr Ruto’s enormous funds, but the church’s independence and credibility is suspect when it continuously invites to fundraisers a man facing charges of crimes against humanity in the world’s court.

Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, head of the Anglican Church, said on Christmas Day that he would no longer allow any politicians to be guests of honour in fundraising events in his churches as it was an avenue for corruption and unfair political influence.

NOT ANY BETTER

Harambee is rarely about community development; a noble notion has been hijacked and corrupted by the political class and the churches are willing conspirators.

Yet, JAP has no monopoly on corruption.

Cord, too, has its skeletons in the cupboard and another was recently identified in the BAT revelations.

Both the incumbents and the government in waiting are equally adept at manipulating religion for political gain.

There is no difference between a prosperity gospel, cash for prayers and harambees with donations of dubious origin.

All are equally flawed, corrupt and betrayal of the challenging message that is the Gospel.