Trends and Insights for Africa (Tifa), a Nairobi-based research firm, in one of its findings noted that Kenyans' attendance at political rallies can stretch up to between 17 and 49 per cent for normal rallies. Shockingly, Tifa noted that induced or paid rallies can attract between 49 and 65 per cent turnout.
If these figures are anything to go by, it’s an indictment on Kenyans for their overwhelming sense of awe-inspiring adoration for politicians.
One question that begs for an answer is what happens to the economy when such high numbers leave their daily engagements to attend rallies. Obviously, the dent is huge given people close their businesses. Equally, due to the nature of crowds, which interfere with traffic flow and the attendant insecurity, other people often close their businesses for fear of losses.
At the family level, households too suffer. When the breadwinner lingers around rally venues and follows politicians' convoys all day long, chances of the family going to bed hungry remain high. I once heard of marriages that had broken down because the spouses would leave home at dusk and often did not return as they trailed politicians across different towns.
This kind of desperation is often associated with the false hope that politicians would dish out some cash, often ranging between Sh20 and Sh200. This, at times, is never forthcoming as the political brokers disappear with all the loot. Clearly, unemployment and poverty are too high, and politicians are exploiting this reality to the maximum.
I often wonder if it is for the love of politics or sheer idleness that drives the craving to attend political activities. I once noticed people trooping in as early as 7 am for a rally that was to take place at 10 am. Shockingly, the politicians had a “packed itinerary’’ and only made their way to the venue past 6 pm.
The crowd had endured hunger, dust and fatigue waiting to listen to the politicians' rhetoric. I wondered why they had all the time and patience to wait for the politicians.
One thing is very clear: politicians have mastered the art of deceit and cleverly deliver it as hope for the suffering masses. Some crowds seemingly enjoy the stand-up comedy the politicians provide for free.
Kenyans by now should understand that politicians are snake oil merchants who overpromise but deliver almost nothing. Politicians’ gimmicks can and will never be a panacea for citizens’ plight.
My free advice to Kenyans is that politicians should never be accorded the deity status they assume. Let Kenyans concentrate on building their lives while demanding accountability for their taxes.
It is good to value and participate in political activities, but as the old sages said, too much of everything is dangerous and counterproductive.
Human rights and governance expert | [email protected], www.lucaskimanthi.co.ke
