A fresh political debate has emerged following remarks by former spokesperson to Raila Odinga and journalist Dennis Onsarigo, who delivered a blunt assessment of Kenya’s democratic process and voter behavior.
His comments, circulated online, question the integrity of electoral choices and the influence of emotional and ethnic politics in shaping leadership outcomes.
Onsarigo argued that Kenya’s political system is structured in a way that subtly directs public sentiment, often identifying a common “enemy” that voters rally against.
According to him, this dynamic can result in citizens electing leaders based less on policy or competence and more on opposition to a perceived adversary.
“I don't know why we keep imagining that we really have a say in how this country should be run. The political system is set up in such a way that it identifies for us someone to hate so much we end up electing anything into office,” Onsarigo stated.
He referenced reactions following the death of opposition leader Raila Odinga, noting a wave of public reflection from Kenyans who expressed regret over past political choices.
Onsarigo observed that many voters appeared to reassess Odinga’s leadership qualities posthumously, suggesting that public opinion can shift significantly once political rivalries fade.
“I wasn’t shocked by the calls, the articles, the messages saying ‘if he were alive we would have voted for him’… people suddenly realising ‘Aki Raila was a good man,’” he said.
In his remarks, Onsarigo cautioned aspiring leaders against over-reliance on detailed manifestos or policy-driven campaigns. Instead, he claimed that political success often hinges on framing opponents as the root cause of societal challenges.
“Don’t waste your time coming up with fancy manifestos or rosy promises; brand your opponent as the only reason why people are poor, and once he is gone, their problems are gone,” he advised.
The journalist further criticized what he described as a gap between the ideals of democracy and constitutionalism and their practical application.
While these principles remain central to Kenya’s governance framework, Onsarigo argued that they tend to favor individuals who understand how to navigate and influence the system.
“Democracy and constitutionalism sound sexy and appealing, but only on paper; it works best for those who know how to work it,” he noted.
His comments also touched on voter behavior, describing it as largely emotional and cyclical, with limited long-term accountability.
“Voters will remove you in the morning, go to their shambas in the afternoon, and in the evening say ‘tumefunza adabu huyo Jamaa,’ then wait five years and repeat the same thing,” Onsarigo said.
Additionally, Onsarigo raised concerns about the role of ethnic identity in politics, describing it as a dominant force often masked under democratic processes.
“This is a nation built on lies… a country built on ethnic nationalism disguised as democracy. Leaders can’t just emerge unless they go back home and be endorsed,” he added.