Politicians in many parts of the country are changing the strategy as campaigns for next year’s general elections nears, by showing the electorates the need to elect a competent leader.
The strategy will leave some wards, constituency’s as well as county’s electing leaders but not politicians who are alleged to have failed them.
The move will also see leading political parties losing seats to candidates who are daring to the votes, owing to their relations with them.
In Lari Kirenga ward in Lari constituency in Kiambu county, a Member of County Assembly aspirant Stephen Ngigi who is popularly known as “Kibano”, has set that agenda.
Ngigi said that a lot of issues have been politicised, leaving the electorates being confused despite crying for development.
He advised locals to focus on what an individual can do and how they have been interacting so as to elect the right person.
Ngigi explains that person should have a heart of teaming up with them to lobby for development as well as facing the society’s challenge and should be approachable.
“Times are gone when we elected the loudest politicians. Even as we play politics, let us consider what an individual is capable of lobbying as well as doing” he said.
“There are those who will promise people of so many issues, but only a few of it will be achieved or nothing will be achieved” Ngigi added.
Speaking on Sunday at a wedding held at Seventh Day Adventist church at Rukuma village in that ward, Ngigi urged locals to keep on checking and following up what the aspirants as well as the aspirants are doing.
“There are so many activities that are happening in our villages, but look at who is supporting you” he said.
A youth leader at the constituency Samson Waweru said that politicians ahead of next year’s general elections starts so early, in such a way that the electorates are able to analyse the aspirants in nearly all the seats.
Waweru decried that, there are those who came out so early, but the community have rejected them but there are those have been welcomed and created a huge following.
“The way the politics are unfolding in this county, some leaders will be elected by what they have been relating with locals, but not because of a political party’s popularity” he added.
Waweru also said that, some regions which will not a presidential candidate, strong political parties will not be something to consider, but who the people of that area are electing.
Political analyst Stephen Karanja alias Phene said that Ngigi has been approaching people at their homes, places of work, hotels and event in the markets.
“He did not start this strategy because he wanted to vie for this seat, no. This is his character, he has been associating with people at all times. He has helped the society in many ways, he has joined hands with the community to do anything that has been agreed upon” he said.
