Polls have revealed disconnect between voters and politicians

Ballot boxes at the Mathioya constituency tallying centre. [Martin Mukangu, Standard]

What we learn is that there is a disconnect between voters and elected leadership. While elected leaders claim to speak on behalf of Kenyans, the evidence at hand through the election results shows the exact opposite. Majority of Kenyans do not give a damn about who is elected or not. They mind about their own business and seem to live in a Kenya ruled by some "self-imposed leaders". Ironically, these two parties interdepend for a country to run.

Third, reports that are yet to be fully analysed indicate that youths were no-show in the queues. Most of them opted to use their time anywhere but polling station to shape their own future. Here we are shouting ourselves nuts that the youth are the future of this country. We hammer leaders on the need to create an enabling environment for the youth to get opportunities to better their lives.

However, the election turnout tell a different story. The youth have given up on voting. We must be harvesting what we planted in 2007, 2013 and 2017 when presidential elections were bitterly contested.

Some youths argue that elections are predetermined so there is no need to vote. Others, have voted only to see a presidential winner declared in unclear circumstances, so they say. Still, others say there is no worthy candidate to waste time and go vote for. Regardless of the validity and soundness of how youths justify their decision not to vote, we have a lesson spelt out for us. Majority of youths have no faith in our electoral system.

Lastly, non-issues characterised the election campaign. There was nothing so compelling to drive people from their homes to go vote. Candidates peddled lies, attacked each other in crude language and bribed, directly and indirectly, to be voted. I have no idea where from or how we will gather moral righteousness to demand government service delivery from leaders who practically bought us to and go vote.

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Yes, congratulations to those who deserved to win! Remember to invite us for the homecoming parties.

-Dr Mokua is executive director, Loyola Centre for Media and Communication