Have politicians mastered speaking at public events and not one on one interviews?

The Kenyan politician is a funny animal. Opportunistic, cunning, tribal, scheming with a Machiavellian foresight for any political forum in order to relay his tired old rhetoric for the fanatical supporters, this writer included.

However, many times these people got the prime time news opportunity, they have been either carried away emotionally or simply turned tongue-tied, gaffed big time and failed to hammer points home. During such scenarios, keen wananchi would have noted that, really, these so called leaders are not supernatural after all.

During our ever first presidential debate in 2013, we witnessed drama of the highest magnitude. Sagacious candidates like Mohammed Abduba Dida provided mirth in otherwise tense and gloomy sessions with his satire.

In the same debate we realised that most of our leaders were not really articulate enough on issues affecting this country, poor in Eco policy, financially dull and backwards in domestic and foreign policy. Most stuttered through the evening sessions. They are humans with flaws, but it does not mean that they cannot lead.

Our political leaders seem to be doing well in unofficial environments, like in a political rally, but once he or she is set for a simple interview with a journalist, they disappoint making us think twice.

A recent case, that left my tongue wagging, involves an otherwise front runner in the Nairobi Women Representative race on a Jubilee ticket, Hon Millicent Omanga, a. k. a Msupa wa Nairobi or Msupa na Works.

Going through her social media platforms, you see kind, interactive, social, philanthropic Millie, always in harambees or donating somewhere to uplift the poor in the poor settlements. Even her public speeches are good to listen to. She is wealthy and charming too, with big family name and easily electable, until you heard her throw words haphazardly in a local popular comedy show, when she was invited, alongside her rival, her PR team, need to burn the midnight oil, the other ladies did not impress, either.

Are our national problems as a result of poor planning by our politicians, including planning on what, when and how well to speak?