Nairobi, April 14 -- Political parties are the primary means by which leaders are elected, but they can also be misused for individual benefit. Some people or groups often rush to register briefcase parties, with the intention of selling them to those who may be thrown out of their current ones or denied nomination.

And Kenyans are quite good at spotting and exploiting opportunities. Parties have also become avenues for accessing public funds through the Political Parties Fund. Some, therefore, become more profit-driven ventures than ideological organisations with clear manifestos.

Even as they push for greater democratisation, many of these entities are usually quite undemocratic. Indeed, nominations for elective seats are often sold t...