A resurfaced internal memo detailing donors to Raila Odinga’s 2007 Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) presidential campaign has reignited debate on the role of big money in Kenyan politics and how political investments are often made long before power is secured.
The document, dated November 11, 2007, is a consolidated statement of campaign financial activities and lists individuals, corporations, foreign entities and political figures who contributed millions of shillings to ODM’s campaign war chest at the height of the highly contested General Election.
Among the notable names on the list is Charles Njonjo, who reportedly donated KSh 25 million, while former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is listed with a similar KSh 25 million contribution. Even more striking is the appearance of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who allegedly contributed KSh 53.45 million.
Channel 15 News has obtained exclusive campaign finance documents corresponding to this memo, offering a rare glimpse into how political actors, business interests and foreign entities positioned themselves ahead of the 2007 polls by financially backing a potential government.
Senior Kenyan political figures also feature prominently. Musalia Mudavadi is listed as having donated KSh 12.5 million, while William Ruto — then a key ODM figure — appears with a KSh 10 million contribution. Henry Kosgei and friends reportedly raised KSh 20 million, and Joshua Kulei is listed with KSh 39 million.
Corporate and foreign business interests are equally visible. Land Rover UK allegedly donated KSh 55 million, Tata Motors KSh 35 million, while Anura Pereira tops the list with a reported KSh 70 million contribution. Controversial preacher Gilbert Deya is listed with KSh 20 million, alongside an additional KSh 10.5 million attributed to his UK-based congregation.
The list has reignited discussion on how political donors often “cast their lots” with potential governments well in advance, effectively treating elections as investment opportunities rather than democratic contests. While campaign financing is not illegal, the expectations tied to such massive contributions continue to raise ethical questions, particularly in a country where state contracts and public procurement have long attracted controversy.
The revelations also revive memories of the disputed 2007 election outcome, where institutional failures and electoral mistrust — symbolised by figures such as then ECK chair Samuel Kivuitu — culminated in post-election violence. As critics often warn, betting on power can easily “chomeka” when systems collapse or results are contested.
More than 17 years later, the resurfaced ODM donor list stands as a stark reminder of Kenya’s political economy, where money, ambition and the promise of future power intersect — often far from public scrutiny.
