The political temperature in the country is rising day by day as different candidates traverse the nation in search of votes. Most of these politicians are busy promising electorates of projects they will establish once elected into office.They are also promising voters bills they will sponsor once voted in as legislators.
The problem with the promises is that most of them are not realistic and achievable in our third world economy.The politicians do not highlight how some of these projects will be financed despite the fact that they are multimillion projects.This makes the manifestos by some politicians appear like fairy tales.
It is not wrong to have dreams of achieving some key development projects but what matters the most is if the dreams are realistic in our country. Some politicians are promising the earth they can’t deliver to illeterate village voters. They do this in order to amass votes from the majority rural population who are easily deceived by handouts from the moneyed politicians.
Voters should not be easily enticed by colourful manifestos presented to them by politicians but should instead critically analyze each candidates agenda before deciding to vote for them. For instance if a political candidate promises to build a multibillion market in an area, electorates must first analyze the impact of the market and the cost involved before being convinced that it can be implemented easily.
Most of the projects promised cannot be implemented by use of funds allocated to them unless loans are borrowed. Politicians should openly tell Kenyans that they have to borrow heavily from foreign agencies in order to fund their manifestos.They should not lie to Kenyans that projects can be only financed by revenue allocated to CDF kitties, County governments and ward development funds.
Realistic ideas and manifestos should influence voting patterns and not money. Our leaders must endeavor to sell ideas that are achievable in our economy and not deceitful and unrealistic blueprints meant only to amass votes.
In the end, politics of realistic ideas should be encouraged in order to have a developed nation.Moneyed politicians should not use voters as mere pawns in their quest to ascend to power.Teach us how to fish for you will not give us fish everyday.
By Edi Mulindo