If I may ask, these guys who are going around telling people to re-elect them, what reasons do kenyans have to do so? What qualifies and quantifies their re-elections? Can Wananchi from the respective constituents (now Counties) really say they have done much for them? Or is it just the usual political and financial muscle being paraded to the Wananchi, to hoodwink us?

 

Speaking of Financial muscle, who really funds these campaigns? For instance, when VIPs like the VP, Deputy-PMs and even the PM himself criss-cross the country on Choppers campaigning, who really fuels those birds? And what about the parties, how are they supported? I know Uhuru Kenyatta is rich, but do you really want to tell me he spent his money launching his TNA party? What about all these other guys opening up party offices all over the country? I may be naive and ignorant of some things, but these campaigns leave a lot to be desired.

 

Truth is, most of these guys are spending so much money doing their PR rounds simply because most of them know they really have nothing to show in terms of development for their constituents. They got so engrossed in amassing personal wealth and developing their own backyards, that they forgot elections were coming up again. Suddenly, time is running out and people have just realized there's so little time left, yet so much to do to try and convince their constituents why they should be voted in again; hence these PR rounds in the name of Campaign Fails.

 

The media is also part of the fail considering how much airtime they give these guys. Can you imagine the panic it would cause these guys if suddenly they woke up and found out that their campaigns will not be broadcasted on any kind of media? This would mean that the constituents get to decide whether or not a candidate seeking re-election is worth their vote, based on achievements they have brought to the area for the period (s)he has been there. There would be no platform for mass lying to Kenyans.

 

I have to admit that News at 9pm has become so predictable, to the point of being boring! Why are media houses giving these guys a platform to lie to Kenyans, in the name of "educating" them?  Worse still, why do you even air their views whenever they turn a funeral, wedding or any other social gathering into a campaign platform? Unless giving them a media blackout would affect their bottom-line and hence their reluctance to do this, I think the media should just ignore anyone who wants to use them in the wrong way. How much more would your viewers benefit from your news programming if you spent more time airing progressive stories? For instance, I like the "Your Story" segment on Citizen but I totally wonder why you even consider having a segment for campaign trail, and even worse, the Kibaki Succession! What value do these two segments add to my life? I'd rather watch your Slim-Possible because I learn some vital lifestyle tips!

 

I really hope Kenyans will be careful this time round as they cast their votes. Besides maintaining peace and staying away from tribal politics, my prayer is that we will choose progressive leaders, not serial politicians who are just out to feed their fat bellies.