The much awaited presidential debate is here with us. At
exactly 6:30 p.m. (Kenya Time
), the debate will be underway. It is quite a landmark event in many ways some obvious and others not so.
), the debate will be underway. It is quite a landmark event in many ways some obvious and others not so.
For starters, this is the first time such a debate is being
held in Kenya. Compared to the U.S where such debates are the norm, we seem to
be headed in the right direction. But that is as far as the similarities go. In
true Kenyan style, the first contentious issue will be the sitting arrangement;
in particular the angle facing the cameras head on will be fought for tooth and
nail. Any illusions that this will be a civilized meeting is misguided as
unlike western leaders who tend to answer question shrouded in political lingo,
our panelist are prone to use proverbs and riddles starring animal characters.
Don’t be surprised to hear the panelist referring to each
other or answering questions with statements such as, “My fellow contestants, I
hope you appreciate the difference between a horse and a donkey. The way I see
it in this race, there is only one horse being chased by a bunch of donkeys.”
This will be in response to a weight question such as “How does your party’s
manifesto set you apart from the rest of the contestants?”
All in all, the end result will be some leaders will come
out as having a good grip of the issues facing Kenyans. On the other hand, most
will shadow box and go around questions with a two-year-Old’s explanation
capacity.
Kenyans being Kenyans, we will
proclaim the funniest and most vague candidate on issues as the victor.
Candidates with solid plans will be viewed with caution reserved for people
suspected to be suffering from an unknown mental illness. Bottom line, the debate will have little effect on the way a common mwananchi will vote come the big day.
P.S: European Union and the U.S should try and understand
the way a given society’s mindset operates before issuing threats. Kenyans are
infamous for always going against unsolicited advice. For example, City Councils
all over Kenya have placed big dust bins in townships to help in garbage
collection and keeping the environment clean. Normally they are labeled “Tupa
Taka Taka Hapa” (Swahili for throw your rubbish in the dust bin). In true
Kenyan style, you will find the bin empty and a rubbish pile bigger than the
dustbin right next to it. By intimidating Kenyans with sanctions if they vote
for Jubilee coalition is in fact an added campaign bonus to the team that ensures
they will capture the undecided voters’ votes without breaking a sweat.
I may be wrong on all counts but come March 4th
2013, Kenyan voters will decide……
