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Politicians should stop making pledges they don’t intend to keep

Voting in Kiambaa

Voters queue to cast their votes in a past election.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • For you to have been elected, the people must have seen you as a competent leader based on the manifesto you sold to them.
  • As Kenyans, we want good leaders who will better our lives by, for example, getting us out of the jaws of poverty. 

Politicians are on the campaign trail making all manner of promises. Those campaigning for the presidency are combing the entire country, with their allies in tow, making lofty pledges. The incumbents, including MPs and governors, are also making promises to win the hearts and minds of voters. So are their rivals. It is the season of promises and more promises to the electorate.

For decades, Kenyans have been complaining about incompetency of some leaders once they are elected to office. They secure the leadership positions after hoodwinking voters with promises. These include improving security, infrastructural development, supporting local farmers and so on. But once safely in office, they fail to deliver on their promises. It's at this point that many have realised it was only propaganda.