Candidates contesting Monday's general election in Kenya are this weekend holding their final rallies. In a campaign which has been distinguished by a lack of clear policies among the political parties, money and mudslinging have been to the fore.
With little to offer voters but tired-looking promises, the ruling Kanu party of President Daniel arap Moi has been resorting to old tricks to stoke interest.
"They're dishing out money all over the place," said one election-watcher. "They don't know how to do it any other way."
According to sources close to the presidential State House, Kanu parliamentary candidates have been receiving regular handouts of one million Kenyan shillings cash (£100,000) to oil their campaigns. The money is distributed at election rallies, 50 or 100 shillings at a time.
At one recent rally near the capital, Nairobi, a Kanu candidate was almost lynched after his cash supply ran low and the queueing wananchi (members of the public) were told to come back another day. On election day there is expected to be widespread vote-buying.
In poor rural areas, voters can be bribed for the price of a kilo of sugar. In North-eastern Province, the provincial administration is reported to be doing just that - handing out bags of sugar and other foodstuffs on behalf of the ruling party.
"A lot of money is going to the buying of voters and the purchase of voters' registration cards," says one Western diplomat. "There's definitely a lot of rigging going on. The opposition parties are not above such tricks but it's mostly Kanu because they're the ones with access to funds."
There have been numerous reports of Kanu officials touring remote areas, buying up voters' cards. The going price is 500 shillings or less. The areas most affected are those provinces with strong opposition followings.
The electoral arithmetic obliges President Moi to secure at least a quarter of the votes in five of the country's eight provinces to stay in office. Few doubt that he will be re-elected. Analysts say he will have no difficulty securing the necessary percentage in four provinces; the vital fifth province could be more tricky.
The opposition is strong in both Eastern and Western. Not surprisingly, these two provinces have seen more than their share of dirty dealing. Kanu is believed to have raised billions of shillings from private contributions and public fund-raising events. Most of the money comes from big business, which has close links with the ruling party.
"Big business contributes to Kanu coffers to show where its sympathies lie," says Prof Kivuthu Kibwana of the National Convention Executive Council, a pro-democracy reform lobby. "It is common practice for business licences and public land to be distributed in return for financial support. If you're identified as an opposition sympathiser your licence could be withdrawn or the business environment could be made very difficult for you."
More than 100 million shillings (£1 million) were raised at a recent Kanu luncheon in a leading hotel in Nairobi. Seats at President Moi's table went for £50,000 each. Many of the more generous contributions came from the wealthy Asian community. Heading the list were two Indians, one who has made a fortune from government road construction contracts, the other a lawyer who represents Mr Nicholas Biwott, a Minister in the President's Office whose record features allegations of murder and corruption.
"Every successful Kanu politician has an Asian businessman in the background," says Mr Sudhir Vidyarthi, whose firm, Colour print, produces nearly all the opposition and some Kanu election posters. "These businessmen want to protect their interests so they tell their communities to support Kanu. They know they'll be tolerated here as long as they're coming up with the money."
A Sikh architect who benefits from large government contracts is said to have raised 20 million shillings for Kanu from an harambee (whip-round) in the Sikh community.
Another Indian in the import-export business is reported to have brought into the country duty-free 60 four-wheel drive vehicles for the Kanu electoral campaign. Meanwhile, the impoverished populace hopes that what goes around, comes around. The wananchi can expect the funds to be flowing over the coming days.
Reuters adds: Six people were hurt yesterday when rival party supporters clashed after an election rally by Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi. Trouble broke out as Mr Moi was leaving Homa Bay in western Kenya's Nyanza Province, after speaking to a crowd of about 1,000 people, witnesses said.