Kenyan voters never get tired of electing 'idiots' to lead them

Voters queue at NSSF grounds in Nairobi during the 2017 General Election. [File, Standard]

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” These were the scathing words of Samuel Clemens—better known as Mark Twain—directed at the politics of his day. He was ridiculing the ineptitude of the American Congress, yet his words easily find a home in our own context today. Like Twain, I often find myself wearied by the thought of irrational politicians lording over otherwise right-minded citizens.

Politics, in its purest sense, is about acquiring power and using it responsibly to shape decisions that foster the prosperity of society. But here at home, we have developed our own peculiar definition—one that leans heavily toward negativity. That is why politics is popularly referred to as a “dirty game.” And because of this perception, we have grown accustomed to extolling poor players who strut and fret upon the stage, while sidelining the clean men and women we fear will be soiled if they dare enter the fray.