Candidate apathy is getting fatter, even obese, as the countdown to the August 9 General Election narrows. Apathy was boosted when muddled party primaries slowed down the season of political handouts.
Voters attend political rallies when they expect handouts. Attendance fee goes down once political parties dish out nomination certificates. Such payments then fizzle out, especially in areas where a party nomination certificate is as good as winning an election.
Aspirants also hold more rallies and dish out more money when competition is stiff. When there is no monetary incentive to attend rallies, and no leaders to inspire the electorate, mobilisation for voter turnout slows to a trickle.
This discourages voters who rank aspirants for elective offices by the depth of their pockets. The situation is potentially worse for presidential voter turnout. Every vote counts to achieve 50 percent-plus one score, and at least 25 per cent of votes cast in 24 of 47 counties.
Apathy wins, or voters can revolt when party nominations are seen to be unfair. Cynics say why should they care when the party has chosen its favourite against the will of the people.
Then there is the plot to teach party leaders a lesson in respecting the will of the people. Political bases that were obsessed with party and following political godheads are beginning to doubt the value of unexamined loyalty.
Loyalty does not rehabilitate dilapidated public hospitals, does not repair roads, and does not improve access to clean water. A mentality shift is taking shape because of mangled party nominations.
The most preferred county assembly, parliamentary, senatorial, and gubernatorial candidates will still win, but with a much lower margin.
Candidate apathy was scoring about 30 per cent, from opinion polls conducted weeks before party nominations, which ended last week. Apathy could soar to 40 per cent on voting day.
Party zealots were not tamed before the primaries. Their zealotry may lead to revolt or voter apathy. The ground is boiling with anger, fear, intrigues and suspicions, following unfair party primaries.
Party zealots, who claimed they had certificates, were right. They still behave like they are closer to party leaders than millions of loyal voters.
The masses desire basic services. The bases demand leaders who can renew their faith in public governance. This faith has been betrayed.
Cries of those who feel cheated are loud. The cry of 'Fatuma Full Network' of Migori is shrill. She says she sold a Sh25 million family house to fund her campaigns for woman representative. She lost in the ODM primaries.
Those who burnt money, hoping to win, are shedding tears of betrayal. The sulk of losers is trending. Some are taking independent tickets to chase their dreams.
Mangled primaries have created cynical tunes: 'Imaya to imiyi. Imiyi to Imaya.' Ownership of party nomination certificates is not assured until the ticket is marked 'received' at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The big and small parties have betrayed public expectations. The big falling out in Gatundu South Moses Kuria's briefcase party, Chama Cha Kazi, is trending.
The party is demanding more money from aspirants than they can pay for a nomination certificate. The ruckus over ODM nominations in Homa Bay, Mombasa and Siaya counties may undermine presidential voter turnout.
Cries of foul play were heard in Bomet and Nandi counties – the bases of Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance. Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Nominated MP Wilson Sossion are crying UDA has fixed them.
There is still, though, the possibility of reducing the influence of candidate apathy. The snobbery of the selected aspirants, from dominant parties like ODM and UDA, should be moderated.
And, Independent candidates and those from other parties – especially in coalitions – should have the leeway to campaign and mobilise for higher voter turnout.
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