A Nyeri-based journalist vying for a Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat held a fundraiser to boost his political bid but only managed to raise Ksh500.
The journalist had invited 50 people to the fundraiser and only three showed up.
According to a report by a local publication, the journalist had the hope of raising at least Ksh200,000 to boost his campaign but only one of the attendees gave him the Ksh500.
The journalist went on to lament that even the master of ceremony did not turn up for the event and neither did he bother to explain his absence.
“Prior to the fundraiser date, I had sent reminder messages to my friends and they promised that we were together. This prompted me to arrive early at the venue to ensure everything was in order,” he stated.
“The first person arrived some minutes to 6pm whereas two others arrived at 7:30pm when I had lost hope that they would join in.
“He is a person well known to me and that is why I had selected him to be the master of the ceremony but he did not turn up and I have not seen him a week later,” he added.
Since he had opened a mobile fundraiser, the journalist received Ksh6,000 from well-wishers after the fundraiser flopped.
“I was expectant that the funds would assist me to at least cater for transport as I move from one village to another endearing myself to the masses. At about 9pm when I was sure that no one else would join me, I retreated back home with a heavy heart,” he stated.
During the election period, political parties and candidates contesting in the General Election are required to open campaign financing accounts, financing-expenditure committees and appoint authorised persons who will manage campaign funds, at least two months before elections.
IEBC also created new rules for aspirants and political parties in line with the Election Campaign Financing Act 2013.
The commission stated that expenditure reports shall be submitted to the Commission within 21 days of the political party nomination and within three months after elections.
