Paid to cheer: Inside Kenya’s political crowd-hiring business as 2027 race heats up

As Kenya edges closer to the 2027 General Election, political rallies are once again becoming a familiar spectacle of roaring crowds, colourful party merchandise, blaring music and enthusiastic chants in support of politicians.

While some attend rallies voluntarily, others are not only facilitated, but are also paid to attend and the heightened political activities has created a thriving microeconomy built on political mobilisation.

Having made a name for herself in the murky world of political mobilisation and sourcing crowds for hire, Hilda, who was first interviewed by Pulse Kenya in 2025, confirms that business has been booming in 2026, and things will be even better in 2027.

She contends that with the united opposition mounting a fierce challenge to President William Ruto’s re-election bid and the Kenya Kwanza government deploying all resources at its disposal to secure another term, the stakes are even higher.

In an era where the size of a crowd can sometimes speak louder than a politician’s manifesto, with packed rallies often projected as evidence of popularity, influence and grassroots support, an elaborate but shadowy structure for political mobilisation exists.

The mobilisation, she explained, unfolds like a carefully guarded operation, far from the public eye. Conversations take place in hushed tones, phone calls are made discreetly, and arrangements are negotiated in small, trusted circles where every participant understands the need to keep quiet.

Every detail is handled cautiously, with the understanding that a careless word could expose the scheme and hand political rivals ammunition to embarrass their opponent by questioning the authenticity of the crowds at their rallies. The veil of secrecy extends to the identity of the politician footing the bill.

Those recruited to fill the gathering may know where to assemble, when to show up, and what is expected of them, but the person ultimately paying for their presence remains a mystery. That information is confined to a tight network of the politician, the lead mobilisers and a handful of trusted intermediaries who act as the link between the financier and the crowd

The lead mobiliser, often a known member of the society receives instructions from political brokers and furnishes the broker with a verbal quote depending on the number of people needed to turn up for the rally.

They also receive merchandise such as branded caps and T-shirts, which they discreetly distribute to those on the payroll for the day as well as those who turn up for the rally but are not paid for it.

According to her, things have changed in recent days and it is no longer business as usual even as the money continues to flow freely.

Among the changes is the surge in goons within the political space that comes with additional security risk

She also stated that cartels have found their way into the business and to reinforce her point, she cited recent media reports of protest at a leading media house in Nairobi where a section of the crowd that turned up was left stranded after the organisers failed to transfer the funds that were agreed.

She also shared the experience of people known to her who suffered injuries after being caught in political chaos.

What has not changed is the assignment: Cheer when needed, boo when required and chant slogans as frequently as you can.

In some cases, they are expected to join the convoy of the politician at an agreed location, while at other times they are expected to arrive early and take strategic positions.

At other times, Hilda says that they also infiltrate opponents’ rallies and chant slogans or make remarks that portray the opponent of the person bankrolling them in a bad light, and this comes with higher pay.

With social media also shaping the contest, they are also expected to produce moments that are likely to go viral.

Nothing is off the script, including publicity stunts to project a false image of a leader loved by the people, and should one land a chance to be interviewed by the media, the expectation is that they outline the accomplishment of the politician with ease while weaving in political slogans and symbols .

Aware that it is only a matter of time before the whole systems grinds to a halt after August 2027 general election, Hilda says that they are making the most out of the present moment with their charges reflecting the same.

According to her, the pay depends on the nature of assignment as some involve greater risk of violence with the rally degenerating into chaos as police move in to restore peace but the lowest one can receive is Sh500 which is what small players in the game pay.

The moneyed individuals going for bigger seats pay way better, especially where competition is stiff and their assignments are preferred.

She dropped the name of a high-ranking politician who is interested in the presidency, who she claims uses proxies as the best-paying, saying the politician gives anything between Sh 1,000- Sh 5,000 for the assignments, which rarely take long owing to the busy schedule that the politician has.

She also mentioned politicians locked in a contest for the governorship, the senate and the Woman Representative in Nairobi.

Legends in the game prefer payment upfront as they are trusted to deliver, while in some cases, payment is after delivery.

In instances where the payment is made upfront, an unwritten code that no one should pocket money if they don't intend to attend the rally exists, and this is enforced by fear of missing out on future assignments or the demand to pay back the money for failing to deliver.