CRINKUM-CRANKUM

We The People Shall.

The political temperature in Kenya continues to rise as the country inches closer to another electoral cycle. Rallies have become louder, political declarations more aggressive, and public confidence in institutions increasingly fragile.

Yet amid all the noise, one question refuses to go away:

But why?

Why do leaders publicly make statements that appear to encourage electoral manipulation, influence delegates, or undermine democratic processes, yet the institutions mandated to safeguard integrity remain largely silent

"Nataka nyinyi kama delegates wa UDA mkiwa kwa polling station, mfanye ukarabati, ukarabati ile ya hali ya juu, mwive zikura muhee Ruto (Muibe kura mpee Ruto)..................." 

 Hon. Charles Gumini Gimose - MP Hamisi Constituency

 Citizens have watched political gatherings where statements touching on electoral malpractice and the manipulation of democratic processes are made before cheering crowds. Videos circulate online. Statements trend across social media. Public concern grows. Yet the response from institutions expected to protect democracy often appears delayed, muted, or altogether absent.

The responsibility of safeguarding electoral integrity does not belong to politicians alone. It belongs to institutions.

The role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is to inspire public confidence in elections. The mandate of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is to determine whether conduct breaches the law and warrants prosecution. The duty of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is to investigate abuses of public trust and unethical conduct.

But wait.

There is another institution that deserves scrutiny.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).

Yes, the very office responsible for regulating political parties, promoting internal party democracy, ensuring compliance with the law, and overseeing the distribution of public funds to political parties. Did we see them disbursing millions of shillings to political parties from the Political Parties Fund?

Oh, yes lots of it, millions upon millions of taxpayers' money have been allocated to political parties in the name of strengthening democracy, enhancing participation, and building credible political institutions.

Yet the question remains:

To what end?

If political parties continue to struggle with internal democracy, if allegations of delegate influence and patronage continue to dominate public discourse, and if public confidence in political institutions continues to decline, then what exactly are Kenyans funding?

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties cannot merely be an accountant disbursing public funds.

Its mandate is much greater.

It must be a guardian of political accountability, transparency, compliance, and democratic practice.

When concerns emerge regarding the integrity of party processes, citizens expect oversight.

When allegations arise regarding the fairness of internal party affairs, citizens expect scrutiny.

When democracy appears threatened from within political parties themselves, citizens expect action.

Instead, many Kenyans are left asking:

But why?

Why are parties receiving public money while public confidence in political institutions continues to decline?

Why does accountability seem abundant on paper but scarce in practice?

Why does silence appear louder than action?

When citizens hear inflammatory statements and see no visible response, suspicion grows.

When suspicion grows, trust declines.

When trust declines, democracy suffers.

Institutional silence is never neutral.

Silence speaks.

Silence communicates.

Silence creates perceptions—whether fair or unfair—that some individuals may be beyond accountability.

Perhaps accountability has become selective.

Perhaps institutions fear political backlash.

Perhaps investigations take time.

Perhaps evidence thresholds must be met.

Yet regardless of the explanation, citizens deserve transparency. They deserve communication. They deserve reassurance that democratic institutions are awake, alert, and functioning.

The generation watching most closely is not the generation of yesterday.

It is the generation of today The GEN-Zs .

The young people who have transformed civic engagement through digital organizing, public participation, and political consciousness are paying attention.

We are documenting everything.

We are fact-checking everything.

We are questioning everything.

And this time, many are saying: #TukoKadi

We are registered.

We are informed.

We are connected.

And most importantly, we are skeptical.

The old political formula of promises, propaganda, and political theatre is rapidly losing its grip.

Young people increasingly demand accountability, transparency, evidence, and results. #Hawataamini.

Not because we are cynical, but because we have learned to verify.

The future of Kenya will not be secured by powerful speeches, political alliances, carefully choreographed rallies, or endless distributions of public funds to political parties.

It will be secured by strong institutions that apply the law equally, regardless of status, party affiliation, tribe, wealth, or political convenience.

The question therefore remains:

If statements capable of undermining electoral confidence are made before thousands of people and millions online, what message is sent when institutions remain silent?

If public money continues to flow into political parties while democratic concerns persist, what message is sent to taxpayers?

If institutions created to protect democracy appear absent when confidence is most needed, what message is sent to citizens?

The answer matters.

Because democracy depends on it.

Because public trust depends on it.

Because the future depends on it.

And because, ultimately— WE THE PEOPLE SHALL.

We shall question.

We shall participate.

We shall organize.

We shall remember.

We shall vote.

We shall hold institutions accountable.

We shall defend democracy.

We shall refuse to surrender our future.

Crinkum-Crankum indeed.

The political circus may continue.

The speeches may continue.

The excuses may continue.

The silence may continue.

But the people are watching.

And this time, the people are keeping score.

#TukoKadi

#WeThePeopleShall

#CrinkumCrankum

#YouthPower

#Democracy

#Accountability