I haven’t been in Kenya for sometime, so I have missed the pre-election fever. I can only go with what I read on the net, what I hear from family and friends back home, and what I hear from friends in London who have been home lately.

From what I gather, violence ahead of the General Election in Kenya is not worse than it has been in previous years if the 2002 poll is anything to go by. Apart from the regular chilling mention of the Mungiki, who anyway terrorize regular wananchis even without the elections looming. Kenyans seem to have really matured, and the days when voters were easily manipulated by politicians seem to be well and truly over. There may be the odd youth eager to benefit from a glass of changaa in exchange for unleashing mayhem (read Mungiki), but on the whole, most voters understand the power the vote they hold. (ask one Daniel arap Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta)

In fact, I have been kept amused by my sisters back home who hopefully are seeing the last of their ‘broke’ days, courtesy of an aspiring MP who recently came back from America with a lot of dollars, and still seems to think he could buy kuras with them! And what is that about anyway? I am very opposed to the idea of Kenyans who have been in the West for years and years, acquired a little wealth, and suddenly think they can represent the local mwananchi who has not been outside 10 mile radius of his house! I think Kenyans should be represented by Kenyans who have experienced, or seen first hand, the current problems! What my sisters and co. are doing is, taking the money as it comes, but they are heavily campaigning for the other guy! Not epitome of morality, but serves him right, I say!

I've met plenty of Kenyans here in the UK (and me) who are eagerly waiting to catch flights back home in December to either take part in the election or simply spend Christmas time with family and friends. Would they be so enthusiastic if the threat of violence was real? Majority have their tickets in hand and those without can't wait to beat the last-minute rush. So dispatch the reception squads to JKIA (or did that cease after 2002?)

The issue that I know is nagging back in Kenya right now is tribalism. People will of course vote along ethnic lines. But does that pose the threat of violence? I don't necessarily think so. The 2005 constitution referendum is a pointer that Kenyans can take part in a political process; come out of it unscathed and move on with nation building.

I know for a fact that Kenyans will take the money of politicians (as demonstrated by my sisters!) and vote them out come judgment day. In fact I hear the MPs have gone rather stingy these days (apart from those who have been in UK or USA). Gone are the days when 50 bobs would warm your way up the heart of a voter. Most people have realized that Ksh50 cannot see you to the next elections, and that the politicians forget them the minute they pull through successfully. Political maturity? That's what I'd call it. And it shuns violence as well.

I hear the Electoral Commission has issued a new warning to would-be inciters of violence that they will face the full force of the law. Whether the threat is real is neither here nor there. In the event that a politician loses an election and moves to court alleging voter intimidation or violence was used, there could be a successful petition and who wants to spend time and money on litigation as opposed to enjoying the perks that come with an MPs' job? I trust politicians will shun violence for the many reasons enumerated here.

So bring on the bags… I'm heading back home to Kenya. Voters card on hand, and a bigger wallet!

Ciku Kimani is a freelance writer based in London, England