Other than outlining the pain-points of industry, the business community has offered solutions and brainstormed with the leaders on how to make the next five years impactful through job creation, increased business development and growth.
The debates, therefore, create a space where politics can be moulded into issue-based agenda, potentially shaping the political culture of our country to one that focuses on economic development.
For a country that is touted as East Africa’s economic giant, whose capital has been recognised as, the most intelligent city in Africa by the Intelligent Community Forum, our politics cannot be stuck in a time-warp reminiscent of 1970s.
Every election cycle is a chance to evaluate our democratic and political maturity as a nation. One of the ways we do this is by creating public platforms of civic engagement between the aspirants and the electorate.
The nation-wide gubernatorial debates organised by the business community led by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) are an example.
As citizens, taxpayers who create jobs and sustain the economy, we ought to deep-dive into these manifestos and promises beyond the general utterances at political rallies. These debates advance accountability as the true measure of effective governance.
Since devolution transformed our relationship to national politics by localising policies, regulations and the national agenda, it meant that county leadership became very central to the realisation of the country’s political and economic growth. When more citizens are actively involved in demanding change, transparency, better governance and socio-economic advancement, progressive ideas and opinions are brought forward during these debates.
Another thing, not only are these debates about accountability but also accessibility as well. Trust is earned when citizens can talk to their leaders and are assured of a mutual understanding of progress and development.
In counties where these debates have run successfully, for example in Nairobi, Nakuru and Kisumu the business community, interrogated the potential governor’s manifestos and development agenda, and more importantly, offered their partnership to develop these counties into investment havens.
Other than outlining the pain-points of industry, the business community has offered solutions and brainstormed with the leaders on how to make the next five years impactful through job creation, increased business development and growth.
The debates, therefore, create a space where politics can be moulded into issue-based agenda, potentially shaping the political culture of our country to one that focuses on economic development. For a country that is touted as East Africa’s economic giant, whose capital has been recognised as, the most intelligent city in Africa by the Intelligent Community Forum, our politics cannot be stuck in a time-warp reminiscent of 1970s. The gaps in governance are currently quite conspicuous especially in the challenges experienced in issues such as unpredictable business environment, charges and levies, waste collection, security, water and sanitation.
Our political culture, therefore, should embrace active engagement, dialogue, accessibility and issue-based politics if Kenya was to attain Vision 2030 and remain a force-to-reckon with in the region.
