With the 2 leading president ial candidates, neck and neck, we asked wasnt running, where do they come from and what do they stand for . And well voting in this election really make a difference of the dog opinions and ask them, do they have faith in politics . And politicians also coming up on the show its fame. Parts of the political game does having a well known name help and independent gets elected, or they left high and dry without Party Political backing. And just wanting fiber kind of parliamentarians or female, why are so few women being elected to Public Office . We meet an aspiring womens representative who says that have to change with welcome to nairobi and welcome to our special coverage of democracy in action. Right here in kenya. My name is edith money. Now this election season in canada is an exceptional time. Thousands of politicians are fighting for a seat either in parliament or county assemblies, governors and senators, even as a country president and millions of kenyas, a fighting for survival, as prices saw due to the drought, the pandemic, and the war in ukraine. But violence, both verbal and physical can also be a vote when up to some politicians pay to have their opponents wrapped up or shut down by hiring an armed gun or even renting a mall. D w. Mario miller file. This special report from a will be election season and kenya means money making season kenyans, who are struggling to survive, earn a living by cheering for a candidate. It doesnt matter which party, as long as the minute, right. Its not about the ology. Its about putting food on the table. Single mother, marina. We know mobilizes crowds whenever rubies women representative she normally to me until they get like a 100 women. The ladies are just blamed themselves because they have in the home so that we made him with just those things down after that at least to give them some cause. When a good day, each woman goes home with around 4. 00 to 9. 00, says marine enough to feed a family for about 3 days. Women make a part of the registered voters. Its why its important for politician to win them over. We dont have any job like 4 children thats supposed to go back to school. We dont have any money. So if we had to run somewhere around 40, but its not only women who are paid by politician criminal gangs around now will be do their best business during election season, their higher by incumbent and despairing, and peace, governors and even president ial candidates. They tell us without house anal violence, without us being sent to intimidate others. These politicians would never be where they are. These gang leaders claim they can mobilize a 1000 men for political rally. If a politician wants his opponents vote, his skid, we use canes. If there are 50 supporters, we have 30 people surround them. We start beating them, the majority, get skid, and go back home. He sent us this video from a couple of weeks ago. His gang preparing for a rally, armed with sticks, one carries a pistole. It often ends in a confrontation with a police earlier this year, they were paid to attack supporters of president ial candidate william router. The granular says the goal was to disturb his rally to make it clear that this was his opponents. Her a parliamentary candidate was injured. Brutal blamed a dingo for the violence writing. He hired innocent, desperate and jobless young people to shed innocent blood. Hes not wrong. The gang leader says, if they could earn money a better way, they would. Sometimes they even get as destination requests. He says, youll get an offer of a few 1000000 shillings, tens of thousands of euros to kill someone or to cut off body parts. If i amputate your leg, youll have to deal with that for the rest of your life. Youll probably never get tempted to run for political position again. Oh, for the killings they sometimes higher row police officers. He claims they help with the cover up. We approached the Canyon Police to confront them with his claim, but they did not respond to repeated interview requests. That elizabeth were there, i was running for a seat in the county assembly my robbie. My, when she went to cause to vote during nominations in april. She was attacked by an angry mob. I remember been full for one side and led as well pulling my hair was as you can see i, i had better low some few as strides of my hat. So i was really painful because im head to the desired torches and mothers head dead gone. They took her clothes and assaulted her sexually. She says she was so terrified, she gave up her candidacy. I had been people been killed. I had seen people get in last saw this kind of things really made me feel so bad, so it really it really intermittently been myself. Yeah. She shows as a death threat she received on social media after the attack before. So i actually received a lot of these messages. This is saying that after the after the 14, i would get lost, like no one would find me. In recent months, there have been reports of aspiring politicians whove been attacked or found dead. Electoral commissioner, just listening, i says the practice of politicians hiring thugs is only possible because theres no real accountable d if our people can be stopped and caused to vote for somebody else. Obviously that is lawlessness. The only thing that we can do is appeal to the government of the day to make sure that people are not intimidated. Critic say these practices are undermining the democratic election process. The people pay to do this, say they are too poor and hungry. They dont have a choice i the choice is that the ballot box and the biggest prize there is a presidency. The incumbent who can nasa is stepping down because hes not allowed to run for a 3rd town who can guarantee the new president from this election. Although the leading figures a very familiar faces for candidates vying and the night before best general election, the 2 leading candidates Deputy President , william, brutal and veteran opposition. Eda wright loading. Lets start with loading. The 77 year old is a veteran of canyon politics from the 1980s. You paid a major role in the Opposition Movement for a Multi Party Democracy during the also retiring rule of kenyas then president daniel boy, i think i feel so far in his 4 attempts at the presidency. But the challenge, the legitimacy of the result 3 time the dispute in 2007 let the deadly clashes, which killed over 1200, the place more than 600000 in the Current Campaign. Dingoes, promising to fight corruption and poverty deliver Better Health care and education, and their roughly 50. 00 monthly allowance for unemployed use. His main challenge for the presidency is william, brutal. He has more Humble Beginnings and a set of war and his 1st pair of shoes. At the age of 15. He sees himself as a man of the people, a voice for the average canyon against the establishment. Even though he is very much part of it. Hes health key, political position for years. It was common and can in politics. He has changed parties several times. Even being part of right now didnt go campaign. In 2007, the International Criminal court charged him in connection with the violence that broke out after the vote. But the case later, the route of Current Campaign is promising to prioritize the needs of the poor was suffering under storing food prices. He wants to invest in agriculture to help can produce its own food. Hes also pledging jobs in the 0 corruption policy. Even though he has been repeatedly accused of corruption over the course of his career vote. And therefore for the leading candidates, perhaps the most pressing issue is for security president ial hopeful, william brutal sat down with the w. Mariama la agriculture is the most competitive sector that we have in canada. Whether we will talk about t, itll have a coffee to about flower to do a vegetable. We are competing internationally. That is absolutely no reason why we cannot produce enough for bays. No reason why for 1000000 kenyans stuffing. What were going to do is we have said in our plan, were going to have a truck to be entered for being fund for farming ports. We are targeting 2000000 from us today. They are a net importer for food. We want them to produce enough for them to eat and we want them to produce a subclass for us to feed the money for his challenger. Right . Oh dingo, the emphasis is less about feeding the market and more about feeding. The masses is central to us that people have food, enough food to each labor. See that youre going to create forms in other countries sector so that we a moved towards food self sufficiency as an issue. And here we are going to do some incentives and also some subsidies to the farmers so that the can be able to produce more. The problem as has been here, that the farmers of felt should change in terms of assistance from times with farming implement. And also with the correct type of seeds and also for the laser. So bringing down the cost or for anybody to contextualize, whats really at stake in the selection weve brought together a group of canyons drawn from different backgrounds to explain to us what really matters to them or rather, or for some of them whats not important. The selection, so i just want to quickly take a poll who is definitely going to vote the selection, etc. Sheila, im very surprised to see that youre going to vote in many discussions. You had given me the impression that voting was not an option for you. I kind of did k mccoy feel like i can vote for all right. So for the rest of you here, imagine you have candidates, we really feel passionately about what are the issues that you think the are going to resolve that havent been resolved yet. Joseph, lets start with you with i believe the coastal flipping is gonna go down a voice for the last 2 for the last minute. Yes. Because this is the time life has gone very down. I want someone really, really knew someone who hasnt been there before. So that it is a mistake that of me working for them and then government. I can take that. But if i havent made sticky notes, then that means i tend to be accountable for would have for anything or when i tried to do, go to and maybe try to find some news from the youth. Most of them i really joke las which is holding them to involve themselves in crime and some of us us and also something is not to live. Its the construction of our lending institutions, like colleges, maybe. Yeah. So that one would really help the youth. Okay. So what im hearing you guys talk about all sounds very familiar to me as a canyon and also on the continent of africa. But some are what makes you think that this time around your preferred candidates of choice is going to make a difference. But most to the same round of december to take up a little positions and the really new weight. So when we talk about the younger candidates, were obviously not talking about the president ial candidates in this case. So you mean youre parliamentary and more local leaders . Yeah. Okay. Sure, you said earlier that you think the new entrants into the ring or that one of the new entrance is probably going to be the solution bearer for you. Are you hopeful, given that the systems havent changed . I dont think its in terms of who is everything i just think is a 1st face, 1st ideas as opposed to the norm, but weve heard for the past 10 and more years. All right, so should we assume them that everybody on this table is voting for new fresh faces . Who only happen to be to . Is that the assumption for making at this table . Because otherwise, youre voting for the theme crop of leadership that has existed in kenya, nearby you from almost enough news for him loud voted from with call protest. So the credit for doing the not with us on the phone with the question as to what are you protesting against the corruption route in these countries . Very home, which is really a for tonights own. So the living stand it was before when we took a boat out from lake area everywhere. Even lets see you on to our blow children identification card. You are, you love to be if you want them to work for you to love to be like every kisses. So its really offered to us, ok, and citizens. And these could actually be the issues that are affecting a lot of young people because in october of this year, the independent electoral and Boundaries Commission thats the electoral body here in kenya began a process of registering new voters. The hope was that they would get 6000000 new names to that register by the end of february of 2022. When they were closing that register, they had only managed to get 2500000 new registered voters. However, as that was happening, digital, the famous people, boasting probably more numbers and to put 5000000 through their names in the ring and said they wanted to become politicians. Well, i caught up with some of them and i want to find out if they believe that they can convert lakes to votes. Im with jesse jasper, more than me is just in time for the last dance, as this family event winds down in kenyas highlands. What on me aspires to be a member of parliament, and after every one has relaxed, he takes a microphone to do what he really came here for to campaign my parents bodenals were young and come in. The community actually raised me. They took me to school and i have to give buck with what with my life and mother me is no stranger to the microphone. As m. C. Jesse, one of king as best known comedians about charlie more than a kayak, one occupant. He has a strong following booth on stage and online as a fanny man on the campaign trail. He leaves his manifesto interest, sketch ah, compelling even passes by to stay and listen. Being famous actually goes a long way, cuz over 65 percent of my company is because of the name, but by the grace of god, i got as empty jesses when i came here, i had to tell them. Jesse is my actual name. Doug rate itself is where the urban sprawl feeds into rural poverty. John, be quick. I an independent candidate and popular radio show host his frustrations daily. As parliamentary candidate, she grew up here and has plans for the area. Shes hoping her shared experience with local voters who give her the edge she needs to win. But as an independent, she finds it difficult to campaign on issues. You know, having an issue with camping when you dont have money and you will go for meetings and people will be disappointed because you didnt leave something or you didnt offer them something because thats how our politics hasnt been in our designed mark bigler runs or research and Marketing Consultancy nairobi, he ones that a famous name on its own is not enough to get anyone over the finishing line. Now they might be nationally known what the social media falling as people were voting and say, i want to follow. I like which i to see when i listen to in the really, when i saw you on the tv, what the bottle will be on, on the guns, to love to come in when it, by, you know, basically winning hearts and minds and probably in to some extent, being on the right Political Party of that particular piece because that might even play a bigger role than your Mainstream Media background. So these are sort of the dynamics that i think have a role to be back in south, the mentee, the local council of elders is throwing a big party to formerly endorsed jesse as their preferred parliamentary candidate. Ah, the political rookie invoked his popularity to energize the crowd. Am i possessed to be leaving fame and money for politics . He asks the crowd, that one, 0, they respond. Youre not, youre not. C assurance, he needs that theyll vote for him. And so id like to continue that conversation and pick up where weve left off in that story and just hear from the panel that we have here. Do you believe in leadership of young people . Joseph, let me ask you 1st. Would you vote for a member of parliament was 23 years old . Why not . From the experience, half hug. All those young guys, if i can talk about my local m c r. Soon as he gets elected, instead of coming back to the people, she goes and start buying big cas drinking high life. And thatll a deal this morning. You can get into his homestead. Theyve gone to associate with people in the mall. Okay. Melody can i get your views on the same . Are you of the opinion that young people can or cannot lead . They can lead a truly believe that some people are born. Leaders doesnt matter if youre much older, much younger, but i do believe that they need to work together. Where does a young person a young aspirant, get a track record from . I suppose its the same question that people who are trying to get into the job market as well as the experience come from. If you dont hire me, i can use myself as an example. Im currently 26 years old. I have a track record the offer, holding piece campaigns in my community. I also have a track track record of being a mentor for the angles. So it doesnt have to be allege or something huge that can be seen by the people. But at least something that you have done to the community. Okay. Yeah, just if i want to come to you because we saw in the last election cycle, boniface one v vying to become a member of parliament, an activist, well known here in the country. And he said unfortunately, people didnt vote for him because they always wanted money. Said we want to somebody who is rich. When do we want somebody who has a tractor or it is for me, it really doesnt matter very to or want to my does. He is, when youre getting back to like place, are you ready like to make the change to the community . Are you ready to give back to the community . How do we make sure that our citizens we are keeping our leaders accountable. Joseph to our, from their process in the middle where we are, we go back and stop asking them, what have you done. We want that is that under go im the try not have to we are left liberal is how do you hold someone accountable when you cant access their houses, access, assist them anywhere you want to call them. We want to get to the office. You can see them with a waitlist to do to see where its so frustrating. Yes, its so frustrating. Shell let everyone to, we are allowed protests allowed to protest, but you know, as soon as you step on the streets, what happens says like if i knew in protest and its my rights, howd you on me . How am i supposed to reach out if youre not going to let me come to your house . Youre not going to give me a forum. And i can even protest because im going to be gusto shots. So why are we having the selection . Who is it before we really want to see these new blood nor to what the, the new blood bringing on the table . What are the people going to gain from this new blood melody . It my point of view. Its the last straw like we are at the end. Its just if something doesnt change, its just gonna be chaos just fine. I mean, im doing it hoping. And we have seen it these hoping that they will do something. But up, up, up, we go back to our dispatcher, and i believe for the next 5 years to partner with them. They come financing with you. So i guess thats where were going to wrap this discussion melody and joseph. Joseph. She ranges sama, thank you for your time. Yes, we are going to vote, but as a form of punishment, something you have never had. Ah, women in kenya have a hard time in politics. As we saw earlier, the show intimidation is widespread. Well, can actually introduced a quarter for women in parliament in 2010, but its never been fulfilled. Did up the correspondence . Phillips marine got caught up with a woman candidates who is determined to change that in kenyas, amber county. Fighting for the rights of women, suzanne battalions hoping to become king as young as 3 men representative, therefore, to 7 female members of parliament, elected by all voters in kenyas counties intended to address under representation of women in politics. You, terry says high experiences of growing up in a Rural Community as had driving force experience is over carrying water experiences over growing up. We singled my, those single moms, we doublet yields. That is what really motivated me to go for this position on the campaign trail. She meets women hotel, how. What needs to change if she gets into office. Yeah. At least create jobs for us. And even if theyre menial, you can get a pay slip. Yeah. Even if its only 50. 00 a month, it can help a lot of when susan goes to parliament, i want her to lobby the government for us to have a department where we can work with as women. So we can help ourselves. Can and politics is dominated by men, attempts to guaranteed representation for women have failed or backfired. So then guitar received. This has to change. We had a, this letter, not there yet. So i would encourage more and more young women to go for this position. Elective position to be specific before the weekend. Women candidates still fall 5 behind men in securing Campaign Funding in kenya. But says mercy. So then sister, in campaign manager, theyll be coming that challenge to being an independent candidate also finances by to have hired a really good support from the people who understand her and who have hired a brief history about her in the was active ability. These widespread prejudice about age and gender. But susans father is determined for his daughter to succeed at that you know what she might be young, but ill let her do what she needs to do because i cant restrict her. Since shes competent, ill let her keep going. Susan guitar, it is not new to politics. Shes been a grassroots activist since her student des, promoting dialogue awareness of Womens Health issues in an end to gender based violence. When i go to college, i would like to push for good active health to ensure that women have access to sanjay towers to improve their dignity. One seats, one woman, and the desire to change things for the better for women in amber county. So then dietary is on a journey to the present women in the can and parliament. Thank you for choosing dw news africa collection special. Thats it. Now from all of us in a row, be sure to check out or other stories on d, w dot com. Forward slash africa or on facebook and twitter will have you now with these images of democracy in action right here in kenya. C ah, a. C c c with passengers, here are info why taxi drivers here need nerves of steel. While passengers here can get an eye full along the way reb taxis accommodate passengers all over the world. The driver, our series. Read. In 30 minutes on w. A 1000000000 trees plan. Hannah Global Reforestation Program that said our client id sounds fantastically simple, but is it which treat some suitable and above all, where should these need for his career . Hes 90 minutes on d. W. O has no limits. Love as for everybody. Loves his life. I love matters and thats my new podcast. Im evelyn sharma. And i really think we need to talk about all the topics that north divide and denied that this. I have invited many deer and well known guests. And i would like to invite you to an end departure into the unknown today. This means flying to a foreign planet in the 16th century, it meant being a captain and setting sail to discover a route the world famous c. Voyage of Ferdinand Magellan expedition. Now then became a scientific expedition, as many new things were being discovered. It was in fact an adventure in the end part of a race for weight power between spain and portugal. A race linked to military interest, the race linked to political and military christy, but also linked to many financial with adventure full of hardships, dangers and death. 3 years that would change the world for ever. Let jillions journey around the world. Start september 7th on d. W. Ah ah, this is dw news and these are our top stories, israel, his head garza, with multiple airstrikes, at least 10 people have been killed including a Senior Palestinian militant. Israel says he targeted the group