Why the calibre of our elected leaders should not shock us

President William Ruto is being recieved by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa at Kakamega Airstrip. The head of state is expected to officially launch the East African school games at Bukhungu Stadium tomorrow in Kakamega County. [Benard Lusigi/Standard]

George Carlin once said “Ignorant citizens elect ignorant leaders. That is not a bug in democracy, it is the system working as designed.” These words came alive last week, during the impeachment proceedings for Kericho’s governor. Kenyans online had a field day making fun of Kericho MCAs and their inability to communicate and articulate themselves before the Senate. Yet, to be honest, the joke is on us. Not them. We end up with the leaders we deserve. They are but a reflection of who we are, the choices we make and what we value as a people.

Think about Donald Trump. At the time of elections in November last year, his approval rating stood at an impressive 54 per cent. Impressive because he was anything but the ideal candidate. In fact, opinion polls did not quite capture the scope of his popularity because many people were reluctant to openly admit they supported him. He came off as the abrasive candidate, intolerant to those he considered enemies and lied without batting an eyelid on many issues.