Let us get new political leaders who will be our servants

What you need to know:

  • The first step is getting “new” or “good” people to come forth and declare political aspirations.
  • Between now and the election day, let us practise, learn and engage what it means for a “people’s win” not “individual wins”.
  • Actively participate in the leadership processes beyond elections is a vital role for everyone.
  • After four years of constant disappointment, we can not want anything else but a win for ourselves.

If there is a sport that Kenyans seem to be on right now, it is politics. We are all players, no matter our level of participation. The political sport, however, is the kind that we can never predict or in extreme cases comprehend. They will tell you the only predictable thing about politics is its unpredictability.

A couple of months ago, my friends and I were talking about the emergence of a not-so-vocal but highly proactive electorate.
This is the electorate that is not afraid to take chances and push the reset button on leadership. Recently and gradually, we have celebrated the fall of political incumbents and big dogs from the recent primaries. People do not seem confused anymore about what they want and this has never been clearer.
I remember during the mass voter registration campaign there was hesitation on why registering to vote was necessary if would still have the same people on the ballots. As true and frustrating as this sounds, something had to give because we could not possibly be stuck complaining. The first step was getting “new” or “good” people to come forth and declare political aspirations. All of us agree that we must have electable people on the ballot. If at all choice is what is holding us back, then let us create it – step one.

SUPPORT RECEIVED

It remains humbling the number of ordinary average people who put themselves forward and the support they received! My goodness! Kenyans went out and won for these people who stereotypically do not match up to the political class we are used to here yet they won. A good example is that of the watchman Eric Bett who defeated the incumbent Member of County Assembly for Kipchebor, John Siele, who had all imaginable advantages over him, to become the Jubilee Party's nominee for the seat. From various counties across the country, options were being created.
We must realise two things: more people are willing to act upon change by being the change they want and the electorate is ready for and to support this change. This is no longer a new chapter but a new book that Kenyans are writing and it is exciting. I can not even remember how long I have waited to feel this good about my country in the last 4 years. However, we must understand that this type of change is not a onetime event. Rather, it is a continuous and in most times a very tedious process.
In August, we must choose those who have chosen us not with their money but with what their policies are and what these policies mean for us. For those who will give the electorate money or incentives, take it but remember it is a secret at the ballot – no guns to your head just you and your future. Choose you. After four years of constant disappointment, we can not want anything else but a win for ourselves. Victory is a collective effort of determined and persistent people who are in constant practice. So, between now and the election day, let us practise, learn and engage what it means for a “people’s win” not “individual wins” - step two.

THEIR POSSIBILITIES

Personally, I want new people to lead not only because of the essence of them being new but mainly because of the possibilities they come with. There is always a certain type of hope that comes with new things, new ideas, new people or new places. This is what I want for all of us: a hopeful Kenya. Anything new is hopeful, anything hopeful is worth living for and anything worth living for is worth a chance. This is why step three of change is weighty since it puts the electorate in a space of testing their power by engaging power. Actively participating in the leadership processes beyond elections is a vital role for everyone.
It will be such a wonderful heartwarming feeling for ordinary Kenyans to be hopeful again. It will be glorious to see political leaders who respect the choice of the people and not the other way round. Leaders who understand that people must engage them as they lead without restraint or limitations. Leaders who know that democracy can not exist in silence that it needs a voice and sometimes noise. I ask us all: let us make noise with our votes, let us not tire, let us not leave anyone behind and let hope get us to the finishing line. Trust me, it will be exhilarating. Let us go and get our servant leaders. They are there.

Scheaffer Okore is the program officer for civic engagement at Siasa Place.

Twitter: @scheafferoo