Why professionals should not shy away from politics

In exactly three months time, Kenyans will be going to the ballot to elect leaders. I witnessed the first General Election as a boy in November 1987 and this has been the case where new leaders have been elected every five years. However, over the years, most of those elected do not bring new ideas. What I have also noted is that quite a number of professionals avoid politics.

 

To them, politics is a dirty game that is meant for 'other people', not them. Yet they are the same people that Kenya is looking up to, to inject fresh ideas in our politics. All that the professionals have done over the years is to take to social media to air their views, as was witnessed during the political party primaries. Even more sad is the fact that some do not even vote. They must stand up to be counted. They must help hold our leaders to account.

 

The fact that our politics is tribal is worrying. I am sure that if it were possible, each community would have its own president. A recent research showed that university graduates are the most tribalistic. This has been worsened by multi-party democracy. Former President Daniel Moi was against the idea of having many parties which, he argued, would divide Kenyans, as was the case with many African states after independence.

 

Leaders fronted one major party that would unite the people. Either way, professionals should not just sit back and watch things go from bad to worse. They should not shy away when their voice is needed most. For instance, how many MCAs and MPs ever stick to their professional code of conduct? Why can't professionals mobilise resources and the sponsor people they believe in to contest some seats?