By Emanuel Tarus, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
Politicians eyeing elective posts in the Country have been flashing and sharing their manifestos with the electorate.
Deputy President William Ruto who is flying the United Democratic Alliance flag unveiled his ambitious manifesto on 30th June 2022, two weeks after Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party candidate, Raila Odinga launched his.
In a quest to establish how much Kenyan understood their leaders’ manifestos, RBNews went out to ask them.
In some remote areas of Trans Nzoia County, it was realized that the word “manifesto” seemed to be a “new” vocabulary and not well understood by many in the rural areas.
A pastor in Matisi slum said that a manifesto was the view of people about what the leaders will do if elected hence a Manifesto would show that a leader has an agenda.
“According to me, a manifesto is what we the people wish those in power would achieve for us once they are elected into office” the pastor said.
A shopkeeper in Mitume area said that she was not bothered to know what politicians promise the electorates because they make big promises but do not honour them once elected.
“If you ask me to tell you what is in the manifesto of William Ruto or Raila Odinga, I won’t tell you anything. I have heard people talking about Wajackhoya’s manifesto, that we will sell snakes; why should I bother with politics?” she asked.
Buzeki, a youth in Lessos area of Kwanza constituency contends that a manifesto contains what a politician promises voters so that they are elected to political offices.
“Someone will tell you that I am going to reduce the cost of living and improve your living standard; that is manifesto” Buzeki said.
Ken Mutai and Alex Wafula said that they no longer take their time to read manifestos because they are only pieces of papers meant to help politicians woo voters during the campaign period.
“We have heard of politicians reading very impressive manifestos, unfortunately they don’t tell us how they are going to implement those manifestos,” they said.
Given the foregoing opinions, it would appear that Kenyans know very little about the particulars in the political manifestos of their leaders.
