Naming publicly funded projects after themselves serves politicians' interests, not of the people. Period.
This habit has been bothering me; especially as someone who works in the community.
What are the criteria to bestow a name? What is the process? We vote for politicians for five years.
We don’t vote for their names on public projects that self-aggrandize the politician; not the community.
For example, new public schools in various constituencies have been renamed after serving Members of Parliament.
I do not think that is fair.
Of course, we should commemorate leadership and service. But politicians actively serving have their own interests at heart.
Just this week, I have seen the High Court quash a decision by the county government of Nairobi to rename Dik Dik Road after COTU boss Francis Atwoli.
Every place you travel around the country nowadays, you see politicians naming something after themselves. This is very powerful because you are creating history by force.
The naming of institutions should be an honour bestowed by someone else; not you.
There should be a body that regulates it, otherwise, we will be having new schools or roads built everywhere with the names of politicians who are serving.
If you travel to countries in Europe and America, you will see buildings or roads named after individuals not when they were in power, it is people deciding that you deserve to be remembered long after the service has been delivered.
It feels a little bit shameful that you are the serving MP, it is public money you are using and because of your own interest, you are naming a project after yourself.
Some have even gone as far as naming boda boda sheds after themselves and we recently had a case of a governor who named free Early Childhood Development (ECD) milk after himself.
Naming anything is gratitude for service, it is appreciation for the good someone has done to a nation.
In Kibera where I grew up, after establishing the first school library, I named it after Marcus Garvey who inspired me when growing up in a hopeless environment.
“The ends you serve that are selfish will take you no further than yourself, but the ends you serve that are for all, in common, will take you into eternity.” Marcus Garvey’s wise words inspired me to honor his legacy.
Our leaders, therefore, have to understand the need to do projects that will take them into eternity; rather than thinking of ones that will just win them the next election.
Public office is used to serve mwananchi, not for branding or personal gain. We should stop politicizing projects funded by our taxes.
There is nothing wrong with naming projects after politicians but let it come with what you have done for the community because you cannot force memory into people’s minds.
Moving forward, there is need for a legislation that spells out guidelines for naming public projects otherwise every Tom, Dick and Harry will be naming things after themselves.
While this has its challenges, given the same culprits are the ones supposed to come up with the law, it is important for the public to see beyond these gimmicks.
In his ruling when quashing the renaming of Dik Dik Road after Atwoli, Justice Anthony Mrima said the decision should have been subjected to public participation.
Indeed, this should be the way to go when a new public project is launched.
There should be public participation so that members of the community agree on how, and whose, legacy should be celebrated and commemorated.
Most importantly; we need our politicians to the campaign by delivering change and services; not shoving their names front and centre.
Dr. Kennedy Odede, is the founder and CEO of Shofco, a member of USAid Advisory Board, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, multiple humanitarian award winner, including 2022 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year, best-selling author. Twitter @KennedyOdede
