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| Lubricant for the political machine |
'... and to be generous is to be prosperous...'
Considering that this ancient King of Israel is universally known to have been the wisest and the wealthiest king in the history of world politics, it would only be wise to assume that this wise saying truly works! Not like it hasn't been proved by some of the greatest scholars and politicians, anyway. No wonder Kenya's opposition leader, RAO was in Israel to 'face the wall'.
Generosity is the willingness to give. On the other hand, the willingness to receive on the part of the beneficiary is innate; inborn so to say. Almost everyone wants to be given.
In the last few days following the Jubilee Party Primaries, I have been back to the ground more regularly than before, whereby I have interacted with the voters, especially the youth in my Constituency, engaging them in political debates, with the intention of learning their stand and that of the majority.
This has been some kind of an informal poll survey, and tell you what; if there is a subject that keeps the youthful voter glued to his place, it is that of monetary generosity by various aspirants seeking elective positions in August 2017. The appetite for free money has increased in consequence to the skyrocketing prices of basic food stuffs. In effect, that politician who dishes out cash in these hard times is likely to win more favour with the electorate than that who does public good in form of development projects.
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| 'CIIKO' - Actions by Governor Wambora |
It is indeed a crucial time for some politicians to change tact, especially those contending on the Jubilee Party ticket, in the Party's strongholds. Embu County is one of these strongholds. In such regions, the sharp rise in the price of maize flour, sugar and milk, is costing the Jubilee government it's popularity leading to more and more people resolving to defect to NASA, or to at least not vote for any JP candidate come the general election in August. Embu is the only County in Kenya where there is no candidate vying on a NASA ticket, after all.
That, coupled with claims that some Presiding Officers and clerks in the Primaries conducted almost three weeks ago haven't been paid to date, means that the incumbent Governor, Martin Wambora will have to up his game. It is time he realized that any failure by JP is indirectly connected to him, and the longer those whose input contributed to his success remain disgruntled the more the erosion of voters from his camp. In the meantime, his competitors; Senator Lenny Kivuti, Kithinji Kiragu and Leonard Muriuki are traversing the county, seriously wooing Hon. Cecily Mbarire's former diehards, with cash money as their main incentive. Nevertheless, Mbarire's votes are so swing and scattered all over the county that the assertion that her voters have decamped to Lenny's side is far-fetched - just a publicity gimmick.
That, coupled with claims that some Presiding Officers and clerks in the Primaries conducted almost three weeks ago haven't been paid to date, means that the incumbent Governor, Martin Wambora will have to up his game. It is time he realized that any failure by JP is indirectly connected to him, and the longer those whose input contributed to his success remain disgruntled the more the erosion of voters from his camp. In the meantime, his competitors; Senator Lenny Kivuti, Kithinji Kiragu and Leonard Muriuki are traversing the county, seriously wooing Hon. Cecily Mbarire's former diehards, with cash money as their main incentive. Nevertheless, Mbarire's votes are so swing and scattered all over the county that the assertion that her voters have decamped to Lenny's side is far-fetched - just a publicity gimmick.
Remember this?
Now this!
Word on the ground: Governor Wambora needs to keep his 60K+ votes garnered in the Primaries, and target to double the number come August. With sufficient online presence, well motivated pillars on the ground and the right running mate to be named on Wednesday 17th May, he's got it wrapped.
