Coast politicians, IEBC worried about region's voter apathy

Poor leadership, pockmarked with unfulfilled promises, vote theft and poor relationship with the electorate, has disenfranchised voters, especially the youth, who are now showing apathy.

With only a day to the end of the mass voter listing by the electoral body, IEBC, political leaders have expressed concerns about the situation.

By October 24, for instance, Mombasa had recorded a paltry 19,669 new voters against a target of 190,237.

Politicians in Mombasa, mostly first-timers, are worried that voter apathy might negatively affect their bids.

It is double trouble for them as they first have to make themselves known before being able to convince the youth to register as voters, let alone vote for them.

They are doing all they can to convince the youth to register as voters including offering incentives like boda boda fares.

Joshua Ndere, a lawyer, on Saturday said the disinterest shown by leaders in the voter registration exercise has contributed to the youth blowing cold.

“It’s up to us leaders to come out and talk to the people. People are looking for leadership,” said Ndere, who is eying Mohamed Ali’s Nyali MP seat.

He spoke at VOK where he led a voter registration and sensitization campaign.

He noted that past administrations have kept on letting down the youth who now feel they have been disenfranchised.

“So most of them don’t see the need to of participating in elections,” he noted.

Businessman Mohamed Soud Machele said the youth have developed a poor attitude towards leadership provided by the old guard.

Machele said the youth want leaders who can relate to them and their needs.

“That is why it is important that we youthful leaders come out and talk to our fellow youth to register as voters and vote,” said Machele.

The flamboyant businessman is eying the Mvita MP seat whose holder Abdulswamad Nassir wants is seeking to become the next Mombasa Governor.

Speaking as he led youth in a clean-up exercise in Shimanzi, Machele said the time has come for Mombasa to have alternative leaders in place who will address issues that the youth would like addressed.

“We are people who are in the streets with these youth. We have been with them all along and we know where the shoe pinches. But for us to get there, we need our fellow youth to push us through the vote. That is why they must register,” said Machele.

Mohamed Shahare Yuri, 26, a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Management from Moi University, said youth at the Coast have not usually involved themselves adequately in politics.

“This is because they have the notion that the leadership does not always care about them once they get to power,” said Yuri at Bakarani where he led voter registration and sensitization campaign.

He said getting this notion out of the youth’s minds is not an easy task, especially in Mombasa and at the Coast generally.

“We have to go door-to-door, explaining to the youth the importance of them arming themselves with the weapon through which they can change what they have been complaining about,” said Yuri who is eying the Frere Town MCA position.

The Moi University alumnus said the youth will determine their own destiny using the power of their vote.

Ndere said youth will respond more to people who treat them as the important people they are.

“Talking on campaign podiums and other places will not make youth register as voters. They want to see you face to face so they can ask questions to your face. That is how they will assess you best,” said the lawyer.

Ndere said the present-day voter is very much informed, wiser and know the leadership they want.

With the advent of technology, the youth can decipher whether what one says is true, achievable or outright hogwash.

“Those who will provide better leadership will carry the day. It is not going to be about promises but action,” the lawyer said.

The three noted that political vehicles today are becoming less and less significant when it comes to electing a worthy leader.

Ndere, Machele and Yuri said in the past, people with money and influence used to buy their way into the tickets of the big parties.

Today, it does not matter which political party one uses, they said.

“If you have the policies, are genuine enough and can convince the people, then you will definitely carry the day. It doesn’t matter which political party you use,” said Ndere.

Edited by D Tarus