By Gathenya Njaramba
The campaign mood has set in courtesy of the upcoming referendum.
Politicians, their invisible sponsors, and ordinary Kenyans in tow have hit the political rostrum with a big bang, which was expected, anyway.
No wonder most foreigners, after going through the media, ask whether elections are scheduled for tomorrow.
Kenyans hunker and pay through the nose to know what their elected leader had for dinner and with whom. We are that political.
Political duels always bring out the good, the bad, and the ugly side of our body politick.
And as sure as hell, the Proposed Constitution has had politicians and ‘pretenders to the throne’, going for each other’s jugular. It longer matters who is saying the truth or lacing the draft with propaganda. It is now a personalised and highly politicised contest, with some moistening their lower lips, while coveting the prospects of 2012 General Election.
Which is why I urge Kenyans to keep their ears and eyes open to emerge as the real winners in this contest.
This is the time to separate chaff from wheat and do the needful at the ballot box. It is said a people get the leaders they deserve and I think Kenyans deserve better.
We are world-beaters in athletics, rugby and arguably due to our son’s exploits in the US, President Barack Obama showed we also got something in politics.
We should not always be bashing our leaders and gnashing our teeth after elections. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission has kicked off a milestone by initiating the era of electronic voting.
Although it is in 18 constituencies only, it is a good start to fix the electoral system and do away with the ‘topping up’ mischief. The era of two million dead voters voting will also be in the past.
Every self-respecting Kenyan, who is of age should get voter’s card and be armed for the battle of leadership. We should never put into positions of influence cantankerous fellows whose only claim to leadership is ill-gotten wealth. When such individuals come for your vote, take the Sh100, but cast your ballot very far.
Many foreigners and sadly some disillusioned IDPs, may have given up on our electoral system.
However, to borrow from smitten singer Chris Brown, we will have to crawl till we can walk again.
In The Devil’s Casino Vicky Ward writes on how the once influential Lehman Brothers Company collapsed.
She tells of how four friends, a war hero, an emotional celebrity, and two ordinary men with big dreams and noble causes came together.
They brought the investment company to financial success in the 1990s. But along the journey, greed, adultery and backstabbing set in, bringing down all that they had built.
With the elector’s card in hand, Kenyans will discard such leaders.
Leaders who fall victim to their own infighting and weaknesses can only lead us to destruction.
The referendum campaign gives us the right stage to decide who is fit to lead.
—The writer is a sub editor at The Standard
gnjaramba@standardmedia.co.ke
