Only voters can change nature of Kenya's politics from an eating orgy to a policy-guided one

Kenyans are a strange people, indeed. Only two weeks ago, I wrote in this column: “Just like Jubilee has projected itself unapologetically as deserving a classy party headquarters and a crew powered by high-riding automobiles; Cord should style itself and grow a narrative that contrasts with this…” I went on to cite Jubilee’s extravagant 2013 electoral promises and illustrated the remarkable contrast between their flashy style with its lacklustre record in delivering to ordinary people.

Some assailed me for bias. One even called me a sycophant for stating what is rather obvious. Of course, he was consumed by an excessive love for Jubilee. I didn’t, however, bargain that Uhuru Kenyatta would rescue me from the assailants until he reminded us, using the kula nyama symbolism, of the key distinction between Jubilee and the rest of us. The president stated that “kumeza mate sio kula nyama … endeleeni kumeza mate, lakini nyama tutakula.” He moved to illustrate the symbolism when he visited Kenyatta Market, Nairobi, kula nyama with a lavishness that was meant to underscore his point, further demonstrating that no frog has ever prevented cows from the watering point.

IS CORRECT

Two things: first, the president is correct. There is a difference between a dog salivating at the door and the guy eating meat at the table. The best the dog can do is to salivate and hope that it gets leftovers mostly, if not exclusively, bones. This is hardly news. Just recall the dog in your village; it only eats after those at the table have eaten. It has no choice about what it eats. It only eats what is provided normally after everyone has had their fill. Worse, dogs only eat after the cats in that order. Cats might share the hot meal dropped from the table, dogs only have that which has been stripped off the meaty part.

Second, there is a lot of truth in what the president said and, like him or hate him, he has a right to remind you how foolish you are in voting in people and expecting they will not take advantage and eat the meat while you salivate outside.

You might hate this but it is the reality and will remain the reality until you figure out how to make sure our politics is not about the distinction between those who eat meat and those who salivate.

POWERFUL ANALYSIS

The president was making a powerful analysis that should have lessons for you. But many Kenyans can’t decipher his point and lack the capacity to hear the truth. We hate it when truth is brutally shoved our way. Instead, we jump on social media, rant for one day and expect what was said to cease being truthful. The president has no power to change the nature of our politics from an eating orgy to a policy-guided orgy.

It is only voters who can effect that change. If poor and malnourished voters celebrate the fact of the election of a president simply because they are from the same ethnicity, clan or region, the politics of eating will persist. If voters are psychologically satisfied with salivating and enjoy the instance of seeing people eat at the table while they are salivating at the door, let some give me hallelujah and enjoy the spectacle. On this point, I am with the president fully.

If voters, however, decide that delivery on key policy promises will be the guide to our politics, I am sure the president will never dare to repeat what he said. Now, as you digest the message from the president, allow me to propose that you develop a thick skin. Your president might just have a little more to tell you before you vote him back in 2017. I am starting to like the president as you can see.

Godwin R. Murunga is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nairobi.