Columnists

Why many are joining murky political arena

DNJubilee2102v

A past ODM campaign rally (left) and Jubilee Coalition supporters during in a past campaign trail in Nairobi (right). FILE PHOTOS | NMG

I have lost count of friends who are entering politics and are planning to vie for various positions in the August 8 General Election. Despite being accomplished professionals and businesspeople, they are shrugging off the fact that politics is a hotbed of chaos.

But why join this murky world? Having met politicians in the course of my research work, I have gathered a lot about the business of politics. Indeed, many successful professionals and businesspeople have joined politics.

Many are seeking elective seats starting from the member of county assembly, which has lately become quite attractive, all the way to the governor.

I have sought answers from diverse people and a recurring theme is that it’s part of human self-actualization. Others have posited that the phenomenon is driven by some who have gotten some kind of ‘dirty’ money and wealth and would want to protect it by getting political posts.

Whatever the motivation, politics in our country leaves a lot to be desired. To begin with, demand for their money and time by the electorate is too much. I have seen politicians being forced to fork out hefty handouts cumulatively to be at peace with the electorate. The problems they are supposed to solve for the electorate are huge.

In a poor country like Kenya where so many people are either unemployed or surviving from hand to mouth, pressure on those who have the means and are accessible is quite a lot. Hence the many reasons politicians are viewed as mobile ATMs by the electorate.

It is almost impossible to win a political seat without bribing the electorate.

Forget policies, manifestoes and other dreams such as ideologies. Besides tribe and clans or such plus party euphoria you need to literally warm yourself to their hearts through money and goodies. Understandably poverty is part of the driving forces of this habit.