Why many Kenyans will not vote in August polls

A number of friends have made it clear they will not be taking part in the August 8 elections.

Some have registered as voters while others never bothered. They say those who decide who becomes president are the poor in the society. These are the people who are taken advantage of and bribed to vote for particular candidates irrespective of their track records on development, human rights and other issues. That is why our leaders are not keen on empowering people so they can retain them as their voting machines.

My friends have argued that those who think rationally and are keen on issue-based politics are too few to ensure good leaders ascend to office. At the same time, they say there is manipulation of the electoral process through rigging, intimidation of voters and poor preparations, which conspire to ensure deserving leaders miss out. Similarly, even the good elected leaders have ended up disappointing.

They are the same people implicated in scandals and other social vices. That is why voter apathy will continue to be a key feature of our elections. A recent report by research firm Ipsos Synovate shows at least nine million Kenyans never registered as voters even though they are eligible. Only 19 million of eligible voters registered. Yet, there is no guarantee all of them will turn up to vote. So what is the solution to this problem?

The biggest responsibility to ensure Kenyans take part in elections rests with leaders. Leaders must respect the ‘social contract’ they enter into with the people, when seeking votes, by living up to their promises. Those who plunder public resources should be voted out. Kenyans must also know that whether one votes or not, their actions will have an impact on the final result.

Again, while there are challenges with our electoral system, the responsibility of deciding who takes office rests with every Kenyan. You cannot refuse to vote and expect leaders of your choice to take office. And for a government to work, it needs the support of all Kenyans.

That is why politicians should be worried that 9 million Kenyans have already given up on them. Some suggest voting should be made mandatory for those eligible but again it is not be easy to force people to vote.