Reject politicians who only show up for polls
Politicians who were rejected in the 2022 elections disappeared the moment results were announced.
There is a pattern Kenyans keep tolerating, and frankly, it makes no sense. Politicians who were rejected in the 2022 elections disappeared the moment the results were announced.
For nearly four years, they were nowhere to be seen—no community engagement, no development initiatives, no accountability. Now, suddenly, with the next election approaching, they have resurfaced, flooding villages, funerals and marketplaces with promises they had ample time to act on but chose not to. This is not leadership; it is calculated opportunism.
If these individuals genuinely cared about development, their presence would not be dictated by the electoral calendar. Leadership is not a seasonal job. The same energy they are now using to organise rallies and make grand declarations could have been applied consistently over the past four years to improve livelihoods.
Instead, they went silent, only to return with recycled promises, hoping the electorate has a short memory. That assumption is not only insulting but also dangerous.
Even worse, these rallies often exploit vulnerable spaces such as funerals, where emotions run high and critical thinking is low. It is in these settings that exaggerated claims and outright misinformation thrive.
Rather than presenting concrete track records or measurable impact, these politicians rely on rhetoric, empty slogans, and blame games. They are not offering solutions; they are selling illusions.
Kenyans must start asking harder questions. Where were these leaders when roads were impassable, when youth remained unemployed, when the cost of living soared? Why should anyone trust promises made in the heat of campaigns when there is no evidence of commitment outside that window? Accountability should not begin during campaigns; it should be continuous and visible.
If we are serious about progress as a country, we must reject this cycle of political convenience. Leadership should be earned through consistent service, not last-minute theatrics. Anything less is a disservice to citizens who deserve honesty, presence and results, not just speeches when elections are around the corner.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
Joseph Katiku Kioko, Nairobi
