Political Bystander? Not Me!

Victor Rateng
Aug 28, 2017 · 3 min read

A friend and former colleague recently sent me a message on Facebook. His concern was that I have lately ceased to be neutral going by some of my posts related to Kenya’s recent political developments.

This got me reflecting on 8 August; the day Kenyans went to vote in the General Election. Together with my friend Faith, we were at our polling stations by 6am. The queue was long and she insisted that we do the right thing; join the line and vote in good time. After four and a half hours, I managed to vote, she did so an hour later.

I had a late night appointment with KTN News later that night. Before that, I got engaged with other matters. My media appearance was to shed light on various national and county public opinion polls released days to the election in comparison to the actual results from the electoral commission. In other words, did pollsters get it right? Perhaps due to overbooking, the studio was crowded and with the realization that the narrative seemed to be changing, I went back home. Behind the scenes, there was a huge debate regarding the believability of the results that were streaming in. Later that night after midnight, the Opposition addressed the media questioning the conduct of the electoral process.

I remain a professional public opinion researcher. My work involves bridging the persistent policy gap between citizens and the leadership, (policymakers, politicians and development agencies). We do so by providing scientifically collected data through a platform called Citizens’ Voices (Sauti za Wananchi). This professional side of me dominates my social media engagement with friends and followers. But I am also very interested in how my taxes work for me as a citizen, therefore delivery of public services and the conduct of elected public officials is of great concern. I actively engage as a citizen therefore.

Back to my friend’s messaging. By now, there must be many others thinking of me like him regarding my position on issues affecting the public; that I should not add my voice to these openly. On my thoughts, I am supposed to retreat to my professional corner and be ‘neutral’. For me, this is the same as saying I ought not to have voted. The most ideal expression of neutrality perhaps.

But why am I now biased in view of my friend(s)? Like many Kenyans, I am questioning much, the manner in which the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) seems to have conducted the General Election. I am concerned that we may not have gotten value for money. As is the case with many other corruption scandals perennially plaguing Kenya, this might just have been one of them. Without blatancy, my friend seems to suggest that I am supposed to leave this for the Supreme Court. As far as allegations of electoral fraud are concerned, I need to keep this opinion to myself. If publicly expressing my position that a fraudulent electoral process sets the tone for poor governance, corruption and other evils is not good for my image, then nothing else will ever be. Why would we be in harmony when discussing wrongdoings such as the NYS scandal but zip up on this one, even if it was just 0.1%? Just so that we can get back to business, join hands and build the nation? And let the cycle continue. That’s completely naive!

Asking the IEBC to allow for a transparent audit of the servers is not bias, it is probity. We are looking for facts; it is about protecting our moral repute as a nation. It reinforces cohesion rather than giving room for the now dominant talk of secession. Asking why on three successive General Elections, pollsters seem to have been incorrect is not partiality; it is openness. It is self-expression. It does not tint my professional image. Giving information or joining in the discussion regarding secession is not obtuse, it is being alive to the context. Why should I remain detached from a political process that I am part of as a citizen and professional? Is this not asking me to impose helplessness on myself? Resign to the fact that the 1% political elite is in-charge. That I should not publicly question issues because this hurts my friends’ feelings? For the reason that they are adorning their ethnic or partisanship lenses when making judgement on electoral issues? How else do you describe greed? We owe a just and fair society to the generations we leave behind not ourselves. I choose to be among the significant minority, because I can make choices.

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