If this election is about cost of living, which coalition wins it?

Kenyans on a long queue during the 2017 General Election. [File, Standard]

The logic of choice in life assumes that there are options. It also assumes freedom to choose. Choice itself rides in the same cabin with conscience. Freedom of choice and freedom of conscience, accordingly, are identical twins.

Those who choose know why they do so. They know the consequences and are ready to live with them. The mother of all choices is the election of a leader, or leaders. 

Lately, Kenyans have heard that they will vote in a particular way simply because Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua or Rigathi Gachagua are in that camp.

It is a rather daft way of making a grave choice, whose costs will live with you for five years – and perhaps spill over beyond.

Besides belonging to certain tribes, there is nothing special about these three people. It surprises me that we should follow any one of them, just because they are from our tribe.  

That just because we are of the same tongue, I should follow someone who says, “Let’s go,” is about the most absurd thing thinking an individual could do. The logic of choice ought to be, “What is in it for me?” If we are a community, even a tribal community, we should still ask, “What is in it for us?”

We may have to redefine “our man” to mean someone of the same mind, regardless of tribe, religion – and all that. Practical experience has taught us that the presence of tribesmen in a given dispensation does not bring benefits to the tribe. The most that in this kind of presence has tended to be a false sense of inclusion, “Our man is also there.” 

We don’t eat our man, certainly not here in Emanyulia. We eat food, regardless of who brings it. As things stand today, we find it difficult to get food. The cost of living has shot right through the roof, straight into the skies. As I listen to those on the campaign trail, I hardly hear any messages of hope on food, the king of life. 

When politicians are invited to address campaign audiences, they talk not about what they will do for the audience, how, and how soon.

They talk, instead, about how they will win the presidential election by 8am. Quite honestly, you are boring, you guys. You want to win the election at 8am so that what can happen? 

It is disturbing that messaging on people-felt needs is underdeveloped in the presidential campaign. It is mostly insults and counter-insults, “Mwizi, vijana fire, kitendawili and mzee wa nyororo” is poor messaging. Why should a sensible voter give you their vote? Just because you have Kalonzo, Martha or Gachagua, and you know how to abuse, is not good enough. 

Kenya Kwanza are, especially, missing a great opportunity to resoundingly win the election by 8am. This election ought to be about the cost of living, unemployment and poverty. Everything else flows into these three, or from them. These three factors have generated revolutions in world history. They have removed sitting governments before their time. Why is Kenya Kwanza missing the boat?

Whichever way I look at it, the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga is in a co-presidency with President Uhuru Kenyatta. They don’t even have to admit it. They are. That is why Mr Odinga often tells Kenyans, “I am going to tell President Uhuru,” to do one thing or the other.

For his part, the president has repeatedly told Kenyans that he has “worked very well with Mr Odinga.” He does not say in what capacity.

However, he contrasts him with Deputy President Dr William Ruto. Their body language, and everything else about them, however, speaks of two people in a power-sharing deal. Even their MPs in Parliament speak and behave like members of a coalition government.

To put matters beyond doubt, ODM and Jubilee are going to the August election on a joint presidential ticket. And Mr Odinga has promised to continue doing what Mr Kenyatta has been doing, basically tightening the cost of living noose around Kenya’s collective neck.

Why do I want to complain about the cost of living, unemployment and poverty, and yet elect the same government? Our logic of choice is difficult to understand.

Dr Muluka is a strategic communications advisor. www.barrackmuluka.co.ke