I want MOON Ki's take on this sentiment and the outright absolution of Wanjiku. He is the standard bearer.
Dear Robina:
The idea that Kenyans would elect better leaders if it were not for rigging is an interesting one. Terminator also adds that "
Local elections have been generally reflective of voters wishes". So, have Kenyans been electing better leaders at that level---MCAs, MPs, and so forth? If so, why has devolution produced local governments that resemble the national government---in terms of the scoundrels in office, the thievery, the incompetence? If not, what reason is there to believe that Kenyans who do not practice proper judgement at that level will suddenly do so at the national level?
Let us consider an issue that cuts across all levels. Most Kenyans seem to agree that corruption is a major problem in Kenya. Yet, as I have noted earlier, the last "major" anti-corruption demonstration in Kenya attracted about only 30 people, half of them Boniface Mwangi and other NGO types on their "day-job", in a city of millions. That ought to tell you something, and you can look at the results of the elections, at all levels. If corruption does not really bother voters at the lower levels, why should we believe that it will really bother them at the national level? And where are the good leaders at the national level expected to come from?
Kadame9 poses a question:
The human character is fickle and who knows weather if Kadame wielded power she would not make Kagame look like a castrated bull?
One cannot definitely know. But one can still try to make a choice based on some reasonable criteria: integrity and other aspects of character, past performance that might be related to the position (and, in general, the ability to deliver), the potential for future performance, concrete ideas, policies and plans, and so forth.
During past elections, I read some of what was put out in the written media, heard some of what was put out in TV performances, and so forth. Not much, but some. A question to someone who followed a great deal more: to what extent do Kenyans consider and discuss such factors. To what extent do they determine choices on elections-day? If one simply views voting as just a punt, then one should expect the outcome that most punters get in the end.
In about another year, Kenyans will,
as usual, be wailing about the "selfish, rotten, thieving bastards" that occupy legislative offices and promising to chuck them out at the next elections. Those are ones that are "generally reflective of voters wishes". So, who should be "held responsible" for the fact that they are in office, passing legislation and doing what-not?