There's something about Africa that is achingly beautiful, and being back on the continent after an eight year hiatus, I feel keenly aware of this great paradox.
We here in Kenya have an uncanny curiosity for just about anything, from burning buildings, to dead animals and lately cars. We are very eager to be eyewitnesses and derive some great satisfaction from being able to say, "I was there". Suitably informed, I wasn't terribly alarmed to see that both the nation's larger dailies boasted the picture of an MP arriving at opening of the ninth session of parliament in his Hummer. One reporter went on to note that a huge crowd had gathered to "view" said vehicle and that it was one of only five in the entire country. This having happened on a Thursday provided great chat fodder for the patrons who had the occasion to visit their favorite drinking dens over the weekend. Having been in the US during the launch of this behemoth of a vehicle, I suppose I take it for granted that the editors would consider the manner in which an MP arrived at parliament front page news. After all, it was only recently that one of the papers ran a story about these island dwellers in some secluded part of the country that had never laid a single eye on motorized vehicles and were completely stunned to see one. Then I am reminded that this is an election year, long gone are the days when MPs would dole out bags of sugar and maize meal in an attempt to woo voters. They are now hiring PR firms and using Hollywood style tactics to get their names and faces everywhere. Consider for example the political aspirant who used a helicopter to distribute cold hard cash in the constituency he hoped to win a seat. Chatter about him is still fresh on our lips. Does any of this work though? I think it does, if you consider that the sole purpose of all the publicity is just that, publicity because we will marvel ad infinitum about it. In view of this, I'm of the following conclusion: We are a schizophrenic culture of sorts; we have the fantastic desire to ape all things Western while in the same breath vehemently denouncing our idols as being too decadent. Since we are yet to attain the magnitude of the glam and glitz that accompanies Hollywood, we do what we can with our local celebrities, particularly the politicians and elevate them to the status of demigods. We also might be of the impression that if we elect the independent and ridiculously wealthy (where the gap between the rich and poor in Kenya is astronomical) into office, then we stand some chance (even though there exists little evidence to support such position), they will reward us by sending some of that cash our way. The question for me remains simple, so what? So what if he rolls around in a Rolls Royce or a government issued vehicle, or a helicopter or a taxi? So what if he wears Armani suits, or wool knit sweaters? What difference does it make to me that this or that parliamentarian has a considerable amount of disposable income and access to all kinds of toys and goodies? What is he doing for me?
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Voter education is really key. Have Kenyans learnt their lessons? Or will they continue falling for this every election time. The players and the playing field are much the same as they have been. But is this an educated electorate? And what are we doing as individuals to make sure that those in remote areas are listened to by their legislators.