Politicians and State functionaries have turned the Christmas holidays into an unofficial campaign season, splurging millions of shillings on food donations, cash handouts and sponsored football tournaments across the country.
Over the past week, villages and town centres have been awash with massive crowds queuing for festive handouts including maize flour, sugar, wheat flour, cooking oil, salt and other essentials.
While presented as acts of goodwill, the scale, coordination and publicity of these events point to a calculated effort to entrench political loyalty, reinforcing the long-standing politics of tokenism.
Some politicians even used National Government Administration Officers—such as chiefs and their assistants—to identify recipients, blurring the line between governance, charity and early campaigning.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and her husband Sam Mburu donate foodstuff at her residence in Ngata, Nakuru County on December 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Simba Arati (Kisii) are among the leaders who actively engaged in these festive distributions.
Others were Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache), Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central) and Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Langata).
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga and Energy PS Alex Wachira also participated, distributing gifts to vulnerable communities.
Prof Kindiki hosted hundreds of his neighbours for Christmas celebrations at his Irunduni residence in Tharaka-Nithi County, giving foodstuff to women and cash to men.
Images shared on social media showed crowds queuing amid push-and-pull as they received donations. Prof Kindiki, however, steered clear of politics, urging all Kenyans to exercise caution and observe road safety during the festive period. In Kapseret Constituency, the area MP, Mr Sudi, similarly distributed food.
In a display of might and deep pockets, the MP handed out Christmas give-aways comprising essential food items like flour, cooking oil and sugar valued at more than Sh2,000 per package.
For the beneficiaries, many of whom are struggling with the high cost of living, the gesture was a godsend.
"This year I have received the biggest Christmas shopping from my MP. While others only come during the campaign, Mr Sudi has been remembering us every December. Let him continue with this spirit. As for me, my vote will ever be his," said Ms Grace Kayenge, a mother of four from Langas.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika addressing constituents before she donated foodstuff at her residence in Ngata, Nakuru County, on December 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Addressing the crowd, Mr Sudi noted that the surge in numbers reflected the economic challenges facing his constituents.
"The hunger out there is real. We started small, but the needs are emerging and increasing every day," said Mr Sudi.
He used the platform to pivot to the 2027 General Election, urging locals to reject tribalism. However, the handout culture has raised concerns among political observers. While residents celebrate, analysts have raised questions about the timing and nature of the donations.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi during distribution of food on December 23, 2025, ahead of Christmas festivities at his home in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County.
“What we are seeing is a classic ‘patron-client’ political model. While the relief targets the poor, it is clearly a sophisticated way to win over voters. By feeding the stomach once a year, a leader secures loyalty that might otherwise be questioned based on legislative performance,” said Mr Kimutai Kurui, a human rights activist and political commentator.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has also joined the ranks of politicians using food and sports to advance their political agenda. He recently launched the Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament, leveraging it to promote his well-known Nguzo 10 initiative, with sports forming one of the ten key pillars of the agenda.
Speaking during the launch of the second leg of the Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament on November 17, Mr Bii said his government places talent development at the centre of youth empowerment and broader societal progress.
In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika and her husband, Sam Mburu, hosted thousands of residents at their Ngata home, distributing cooking oil, maize flour, wheat flour, sugar, rice, tea leaves and bar soap.
A source involved in organising the event said the governor spent over Sh10 million, drawing more than 5,000 people — nearly causing a stampede due to poor crowd control.
Some attendees of the December 18 event admitted it was used to rally support for President William Ruto’s re-election while highlighting Kihika’s development record in Nakuru. Branded gift bags bore her portrait alongside a “two-term” inscription.
“It was mainly meant to drum support for herself and President William Ruto. She urged us to remain firmly behind her and the president ahead of 2027,” said Mr Peter Kinuthia, one of the beneficiaries.
Yesterday, Mr Murkomen hosted residents of Marakwet East.
“The Christmas season is a time of togetherness with our communities. This afternoon, my family and I joined the Embobut community in Marakwet East Sub-County to celebrate Boxing Day and give thanks to God for His abundant blessings,” he posted on social media.
In Nyandarua, leaders allied to President Ruto crisscrossed the county on Christmas Day, distributing food, clothing and bedding while rallying support for the president. Woman Representative Faith Gitau and Ndaragwa MCA Mwangi Kagwe spent the day giving out Christmas goodies, also using the occasion to criticise former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In Kericho, Governor Dr Erick Mutai hosted hundreds of residents at his Chesingoro home, urging support for his re-election campaign and reminding attendees of political challenges faced during his first term.
Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai led local leaders and county government officials to celebrate Christmas with less fortunate residents, donating both food and non-food items.
“This time, I am with inmates at Lodwar GK Prison, where I gave them money to budget for sanitary items for both men and women, including soap and tissue paper. I have also donated four bulls for their meat,” he said.
He further supported the Bunsen B initiative, which promotes creative arts within the prison, with Sh32,000 to set up a music recording studio for talented inmates, and encouraged locals to share whatever little they have with neighbours in need.
In Vihiga, Senator Godfrey Osotsi hosted an interdenominational music festival and sponsored a County Football Kenya Federation league, emphasizing his focus on nurturing grassroots talent throughout the year. He disclosed that sponsoring the games cost an estimated Sh3 million.
“The football programme aims to identify and develop talent. Holding tournaments in December is less productive due to many overlapping events, making it difficult to spot talent,” Mr Osotsi said.
Governor Wanga of Homa Bay hosted her annual festive initiatives, including sports tournaments, food distributions, and music performances.
Hundreds of residents, including children, received pilau, bread, and soft drinks. Ms Wanga said the programmes aim to strengthen community bonds and protect young people from social vices.
“The greatest dividends in life are those we share with our neighbours, especially during these special times as we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. Merry Christmas to my Kochia neighbours, to the people of Homa Bay County, and to the nation at large,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
In Kisumu, MP Joshua Oron hosted a Christmas event in the Central Business District, providing meals, haircuts, and cash to street children, with the goal of identifying vulnerable youth for reintegration and skills training.
Dr Ouma Oluga and PS Alex Wachira also conducted food and wheelchair distributions, while Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda spent Christmas with residents at his Awasi home.
In Nyeri, PS Wachira held two events in Kieni Constituency, distributing food, water drums, gas cylinders and mini mattresses, while calling for unity in the Mt Kenya region.
Meanwhile, in Murang’a, Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Senator Veronica Maina and Gatanga MP Edward Muriuki handed out maize, wheat flour, rice and cooking oil. Kang’ata’s team relied on registered farmers’ records to ensure targeted distribution, while Maina and Muriuki combined charitable giving with political messaging supporting President Ruto and their 2027 ambitions.
In Kisii, Governor Simba Arati visited hospitals, distributing gifts to patients and highlighting compassion as a key festive value. Across the country, the Christmas season has become a strategic mix of charity, spectacle and early political mobilisation—a reminder of the enduring politics of tokenism in Kenya.
Reporting by Eric Matara, Waikwa Maina, George Odiwuor, Domnic Ombok, Mercy Mwende, Mwangi Muiruri, George Munene, David Muchui and Titus Ominde
