Election pledges made during the run-up to the 2013 general elections have returned to haunt Members of Parliament who have failed to deliver on their promises to voters two years into their term. Kenyan MPs regularly attract the anger of the public for neglecting their duties while, by and by, expecting to be handsomely compensated for it but this is the first time the spotlight has been put on the election pledges of the MPs of 11th parliament.
Using the hashtag #WhatMyMPPromised disappointed constituents have been expressing why they feel let down by their members of parliament.
#KOT; Do you remember your MPs promises during 2013 elections? Time to hold them accountable..lets engage #WhatMyMPPromised@bonifacemwangi
— Hustler™ (@jeremymuts) May 20, 2015
The grievances with the MPS run the gambit from unmet pledges on security, health, infrastructure and accountability on how funds allocated to constituencies are spent.
“I will make sure that my constituency is the safest place to be” after, The number of extrajudicial killings increase #WhatMyMPPromised
— Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) May 20, 2015
#WhatMyMPPromised; “I will make sure there is transparency in work done in my constituency”, he turns out to be the most corrupt @Maskani254 — CorruptFreeKE (@CorruptKE) May 20, 2015
#WhatMyMPPromised I will tarmack Musikoma-Buyofu road in my first year in office……we r yet to see that
— Viq Tembu (@Viqtembu) May 20, 2015
#WhatMyMPPromised job im still jobless — alex georgina (@alexgeorgina3) May 20, 2015
My mp promised to have water drainages repaired, see my life now, #WhatMyMPPromised@kenyanpundit@bonifacemwangipic.twitter.com/cw3vnELBsH
— Ngei Lidear (@Lydearngei) May 20, 2015
Some of the criticism was particularly caustic and pointed – even going so far as to name-check the offending MPs.
#WhatMyMPPromised; “Rehearsal to be able to represent my mathare people with diligence”.Since then, he’s never spoken pic.twitter.com/Hu6jzWSiP3
— Hustler™ (@jeremymuts) May 20, 2015
#WhatMyMPPromised; an ambulance & fire brigade, The Ambulance operated during campaign season & never seen again pic.twitter.com/ExgvYfeXdv — Hustler™ (@jeremymuts) May 21, 2015
#WhatMyMPPromised ; To keep our constituency clean, This is how it looks leading to #CholeraOutBreak @bonifacemwangi pic.twitter.com/Tqs1zqdM3L
— Hustler™ (@jeremymuts) May 21, 2015
State of roads in Gatundu as leaders from there are most noise makers in Parliament..#WhatMyMPPromised@kenyanpunditpic.twitter.com/cogmqEnJvO — CorruptFreeKE (@CorruptKE) May 21, 2015
Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) were not spared either having also proven themselves to subscribe to the same “me first” ethos as MPs. Coming under particular criticism is the Kiambu County Assembly which seems bent on pushing through a petition that will see the county spend sh290 million to buy high end cars for county administrators despite the fact that many roads within the constituency are in need of improvement.
Kiambu MCAS passed a motion 2 award themselves personal vehicle instead of rehabilitating roads #WhatMyMPPromisedpic.twitter.com/WNrONbRhUc
— Security Alerts (@InsecurityKE) May 20, 2015
Accountability has lately become a watchword as Kenyans tire of politicians not following through on their election pledges. The criticism against MPs for not delivering on their election promises comes two days after an Infotrak poll ranked MPs based on their approval ratings. Wilber Ottichilo of Emuhaya came first while John Waluke and Mary Emaase of Sirisia and Teso South constituencies came second and third respectively.
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo popularized the expression “politicians campaign in poetry and govern in prose.” Campaign pledges necessarily come with a sprinkling of fantasy because, like advertising, they are about edging out the competition. That said, Kenyan MPs must remember that the Kenyan electorate has a long memory and will make them pay for their sins – of commission and omission – come the next elections.
