The ABC of Electing Leaders in Kenya

 

The ABCD&E of Electing Leaders

 

It is election season in Kenya again! Both strategic and crafty politicians search and clamor for votes by making white washed promises to gullible voters. This too, is the season when the pendulum of power swings towards the voters to exercise the rights to hire and fire leaders. During this time some politicians, beg, plead and cajole illiterate voters with a tribal charge. But how can the voter be empowered to carry out their sacred duty to elect good leadership? It is no good wasting time moaning if you do not vote. But I propose the we do away with voter education and embark on voter empowerment to bring in a good harvest of leaders. The educated voter knows how to correctly place the ballot in the box, but the empowered voter knows whom to select and elect. The educated voter knows which leader is on the ballot box, but the empowered voter knows whom to select to raise the bar of leadership in the constituency. It is beyond the voters to determine who will stand for any position, but it is in the power of the voter to select the best from among those who present themselves on the basis of Attitude, Benevolence, Character, Diligence and Experience. The empowered voter takes a little time to do some basic research and subjects each candidate to the following test to find the best.

Attitude

One dictionary describes attitude as “a settled way of thinking or feeling about something”. What is the attitude of the candidate to his or her voters? Is it one of affiliation, tolerance and acceptance. Does the candidate despise others as lesser than himself? Is the politicians’ attitude virtuous, arrogant or careless in dealing with the delicate matter of leadership? Most people can pick up an attitude far more quickly than it takes to describe it. It is time to exercise this powerful leader selection tool.

Benevolence

Under normal circumstances, benevolence is charitable, philanthropic and sacrificial. It does not need to dish out money to get attention. Many politicians come to the season with goodies to buy their way back to office with platitudes and practiced emotional gymnastics. If you are having difficulty with this sudden display of affection, take a look into their past for clues as to whether the behavior is genuine or not.  

 Character

While it is listed third in this criteria, character is in fact first and overarching over the others. Does the candidate display a consistent, commitment and courage to realistically address the issues as they are? Do they have the courage and ability to speak the truth to power? Do they act in line with a core and predictable value system? Beware of the Leopard standing among Sheep and promising that he will never eat them. The only evidence of a renewed character is to bear fruits in line with that repentance. If there is no fruit, there certainly is no change of character.

Diligence

Diligence, discipline and determination are human qualities critical for the success of any human endeavor. However, just like character, these must be in evidence long before the person becomes interested in the campaign for office. Even the most wicked dictators can display this quality. so one must examine the principles and vision for which this displayed discipline is assigned. There are corrupt diligent candidates whose master is the satisfaction of their personal lives.

 Experience

Then there are the experienced, educated, exposed and experts in various fields that will also be seeking office. But before you fall for the, “I have long experience” ruse remember that it is possible to work in an organization for a decade, learn nothing in that time and come away with one years’ experience repeated ten times. Experience should translate to the accumulation of valuable wisdom and the establishment of societal benefit.   

Finally, consider that out of the five, ten or twenty candidates they are all imperfect mortals. But there is no need to pick the most voluble or least intelligent in the panel if there is a better option available. My dear voters take time to study these words and give a good account of yourselves as empowered voters to raise the bar of leadership in our land.   

 

Allan Bukusi is an adjunct lecturer of leadership at Ashesi University in Ghana.

allanbukusi@gmail.com

 

One reader observed 

"In 1948 the south African National party threatened to implement apartheid if it won. It also threatened to disenfranchise the coloured population. Due to apathy and lack of understanding the coloured population which could have prevented national party victory did not vote in full numbers. The National party won and removed the coloured from voters roll and implemented apartheid." 

It would take fifty years - Half a Century to get the country back on track!

This is WHY YOU MUST VOTE!