On devolution, elected elites must deliver or be voted out

The dramatic political party primaries have proved an important point of Kenya’s ongoing transition. Any politician who still has an iota of contempt for voters, had better watch out; change is in the air. The people who feel forgotten, ignored or disrespected by the political elites are sending a clear message: We are here and we will be heard.

Devolution has shown people that the decisions and actions of their leaders or the lack thereof, have a real and direct impact in their lives. Social media has made it easier for us to compare across regions and most importantly, to remember. In recent days, we have been reminded who has been launching bridges and who is working to put money in the pockets of their people.

I recall an interesting televised debate between Nairobi gubernatorial aspirants, Evans Kidero and Ferdinand Waititu Babayao, in the lead up to the 2013 elections. Dr Kidero was prim and proper, spoke polished English, and in keeping with the tropes of the day, emphasized that the position of the governor should be left to professionals; they would make better managers. Waititu, on the other hand, focused on the things that trouble the regular people who are the majority of City residents. Waititu lost but as the so-called ‘professional management’ of the city has unfolded, the counter-factual - how it could have been had Babayao won – has lurked in our minds.

I guess it will not be too long until we are able to make some interesting conclusions on the same, if the recent primaries in which giants are falling like flies is anything to go by. As voters appear keen to send home those whom they feel haven’t looked out for their interests, we may have a taste of a different kind of governors in the next cycle.

These nominations carry a key lesson for leaders. People may not hold it against you if you’re smart and polished, but they will as sure as hell care about how authentic you are as a person and whether they can count on you to champion their interests. The job of the leader is to carry the aspirations of their people; good talent is available on the market for hire. The success of people like Waititu and Sonko, in these nominations, should therefore not surprise us.

Distractions

I am convinced that the difference in outlook is what has helped Mwangi wa Iria, the governor of Murang’a, to remain standing as all his contemporaries in Central Kenya have fallen by the wayside. Choosing to cast his lot with the ordinary folk enabled him fend off a ferocious attack by outgoing Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau. Despite the distractions he has had to endure in his first term, Wa Iria has focused on improving lives of the majority, for whom it matters how much they pay for their market stall and how much they earn from the sale of milk. No doubt bridges and roads are important, but food on the table will trump them in the order of priority any day.

There is an ongoing line of thought which says the people who voted in the primaries are not representative of the general population of voters. It is this logic that seems to send a lot of losers to run as independents. I think they will have a rude awakening come August.

The idea that only idlers voted in the primaries falls flat on the face if one cares enough to learn that many Kiambu residents took time off their jobs to go and vote in the primaries. They know politics matters, and they were keen to make sure that their votes counted.

In any case, meeting the needs of the ordinary was the whole idea behind devolution. They must have the opportunity to say what is important and the leaders they elect must listen to them and meet their needs. If people need footpaths, footbridges and toilets, don’t give them a master plan instead. In my view, it stands to reason that if the elected elites will not provide that, these people will vote for someone who will. Enter Mike Sonko and Babayao.

This simple logic appears elusive to some leaders of who still want to rig in some of those who have lost. If there is one thing they should take away from the nominations, it’s: Don’t take voters for fools!

—The writer is a researcher and analyst in Nairobi. [email protected]