This is another year when Kenyans will be exercising their most important political right. Though in recent years this electioneering period has and will continue to bring poignant remainder of whatever happened almost a decade ago.
Come August, registered voters will engage in polls that will affect the country's management from its apex to the grassroots. But before this all aspiring candidates for whatever posts are going to work their fingers to the bone to make sure they emerge winners after the ballots are cast.
There will be traditional campaigns ranging from massive public meetings, posters, media publicity and battles ecetra ecetra. All this in a quest to lure Kenyans into voting for them.The aspirants will be busy making promises, hurling criticism of all manner at each other and even dancing and reciting riddles.
No grown up in this country is a stranger to the politicians pre-election theatrics. But the big question is what always happens to promises made by aspirants when they succeed? It is as though Kenyans only realize they were being deceived after the elections which is quite the contrary. My take is that Kenyans are so used to this game that they have become very lazy to change it.
Well, it is time we awake and change the game play. We should make these aspirants account for their political performance. Mere tribal considerations and supports of no strong basis will always lead us to a dark alley. A time comes when we should not look upon the leaders to make things right but ourselves. That is when it will matter most, and this is the time.
Like all other countries where democracy has taken a sturdy ground, Kenyans should strive to consider principles rather than whatever they have been looking for in aspirants since 1960. In this particular year I advise that we employ a more serious audit into the aspirants' previous term for those who will be seeking to retain their seats. They should be able to answer our questions for us to elect them rather than make noise in the streets, on media or even right in front of our homes.
Their performance in the last half a decade should be put on the table by us and congratulate or scrutinize then ask questions whose satisfactory answers would be the only thing favorable for the candidate. It becomes particularly serious when promises made before the fourth of March in 2013.
For instance in a certain manifesto a GPA growth of up to not less than 7 percent in two years was promised to us. Where are we now? Anyone would be surprised to know that we are below the mark that the current regime inherited. Kenyans should stop the traditional manner of handling elections.We should stop thinking like toddlers and be smart. We can manage these leaders and for God’s sake let us do so! GO BACK
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join