Dawn of Facebook ‘presidents’ here
A few years ago, the phrase ‘presidential candidate’ was regarded with awe and respect.
It, however, seems each dawn brings with it new presidential hopefuls whose only offering to Kenyans is an alleged passion for an undefined ‘New Kenya’.
Once in a while, Kenyans get a new wave of men and women with dreams of being tenants in the house on the hill.
Take for instance, Esther Waringa who has been conducting door-to-door campaigns since January in various parts of the country.
This Friday, the typewriting expert and consultant in programmes management will launch her presidential campaign in Limuru.
Woman of the people
Hers will be the first presidential launch away from the city. “I will launch my campaign in Limuru Town because it’s my hometown and I would like to be in touch with people around there since my campaign is grassroots-based,” she says.
There are also ‘presidents’ of Facebook, who spam inboxes with invites for volunteers to join their campaign teams. Take Prof George Wajackoyah for instance.
He is surging full steam ahead of his presidential campaigns with his 5,000 “friends” on Facebook. What exactly does he stand for?
The professor bases his campaign on what he calles the four pillars — the economy, education, security and Constitution.
He says together with his ‘Shake the Tree Movement”, they will improve these four aspects in the life of ordinary Kenyans. It is not clear the kind of tree his movement hopes to vigorously shake.
Prof Wajackoya, who fled to exile for “some truths” he discovered during the investigations of the assassination of then Foreign Affairs minister Robert Ouko, has announced that he would run on a new party, the Asjad Omar.
A Kenyan fifth generation Pakistani chairs the party. Then there is the story of the pretty 27-year-old poet-cum-activist, humanitarian and lover of life. (READ: SHE'S GOT IT: Leadership came early for this girl)
In 2007, a critic described one of her published works that had just won the youth category in the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature as follows:
“Kingwa Kamencu tells immensely interesting stories of young female adults who, under the impact of illusive ideas of success and glamour, get caught up in dangerous situations that nearly jeopardise the bright future they so much deserve by virtue of their outstanding qualities.”
Will she get caught up in dangerous political situations that may jeopardise her bright future as a gifted novelist and poet?
She begs to differ. The incoming president of Kenya (as she describes herself on her Facebook page) says: “Yawah, politics is fun but I have lots of other exciting possibilities and opportunities I want to explore with my life.”
“I got the idea only a short while ago, that was in early September. I think that as a country we are looking for a young person and I believe I am that change people want to see,” says Ms Kamencu.
The young woman, pursuing her second Master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK, says she would contest as an independent candidate. (READ: Are we our own worst enemy?)
Enters yet another one, Jaffer Isaak — a former military man, taxi driver and now businessman with zero political experience. His believes his “Komboa Kenya” mantra is what the country needs.
In a country that worships tribes, which have so far dictated voting patterns, Mr Isaak comes from one of Kenya’s smallest ethnic groups living in one of the most neglected parts of the country, the Gabbra.
“Having slept in a sack, self-educated myself, drove a taxi and spent time in the military, I know just what it takes to come from nothing to something,” he says.
“This is what Kenya wants. My story is not made of the odds that Barack Obama beat to become US President, it’s much bigger.”
Many would wonder how a man facing such great odds would want to take a shot at the country’s topmost job.
Famous parent
“It’s surprising to us that our most famous parent wants to be president,” Reuben Njuguna, the principal of Coast Academy where his daughter is studying, told the Nation.
Other than having seasoned and battle-hardened lieutenants by their sides, these candidates will need an impressive kitty to oil their largely non-existent political machinery.
It is difficult to see how Prof Wajackoyah with his deans allowance or Ms Kamencu with her proceeds from her excellent prose and poetry or Mr Isaak from his business will fund their campaigns.
When all is said and done, and their hearts have stopped racing from the excitement of being paraded in front of a rather pessimistic media, they too will stand proud as Kenyans exercise their constitutional rights.
