Skip to main content

THE ABCD OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS IN KENYA

There are new entrants into politics for every election year. The veterans understand the game but many green horns get burned very quickly and live to hate politics. I have observed the political landscape and here are some things aspirants should consider.
A political campaign is no different from a sales and marketing campaign
Good marketers understand that brand (image) is everything
Good trade executioners know that volumes depend on VISIBILITY, PENETRATION and ACQUISITION
Visibility is about how often the customer or voter gets in contact with the politicians image
Penetration is about the reach of the politician in terms of networks and heart to heart connections
Acquisition has to do with actual closing of deal; the numbers of actual people verified as supporters
Political Branding in Kenya is party, economic, cultural, religious and track record based
Political party choice is everything because parties define people’s persuasion on many things
Economic branding has to do with whether you portray yourself as a big hearted Mr. Money Bags or as simple humble man who understands the problems of the poor.
Culturally, the political strategy has to take into account racial, ethnic, clan and family considerations. For instance in villages, a clan segmentation of villages can help one gain acceptance quickly
Cultural rites e.g. rites of passage offer opportunities to engage people in what touches their hearts
Religious platforms offer free opportunities to engage crowds; all that is required is to lace political ambition with religious speak
There is no politics without money; in the end some voters only vote for the person whose money they ate
Politics is about power play and power may be wrestled over issues but it may also be forcefully taken. A good aspirant knows how to stamp his or her authority and show his or her might in the face of opponents and their supporters
Brokers are an important cog in the political wheel; these people often understand how to turn the political knobs. However, brokers can also render an aspirant bankrupt and if not, they shield the candidate from reaching and interacting with the people.
Rigging in Kenya is an art most politicians have to muster. Elections are rigged through registration of voters, through buying of voters, through disrupting voting process, through tallying anomalies and sometimes through blatant announcing of wrong candidate as the winner.
If going for a higher office like MP, Governor, Senator or President, managing aspirants is the greatest headache. Choose to work with aspirants that carry their weight. Many aspirants are fleeced by other aspirants. If going for governor, why should you be the one financing MP aspirants? Why should an MP be financing MCA aspirants? They are all candidates seeking office, right? It pays to work with a team of aspirants and not dependents.
Finally, everything will depend on your team, how you manage the team, how the team interacts with the people. A smart politician will create a very lean but astute technical team while bringing on board as many volunteers as possible. The team needs clear message, clear structures and channels of engagement.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dear African Sun

Dear African sun Dear godly son of the unseen Dear holy daughter of heavens Dear grand father of life and seas Hear me oh ancient warmth Hear me divine providence sheath Listen sustainer of all growth Understand me kiss of strength Where are you my love? How my body misses the caress of your rays How are you godly slave? How your distance slays our senses Come back African sun Draw close sweet friend, don't be gloomy I implore you African warmth, without pun Smile again and put the cold to shame
Post a Comment
Read more

I Met a Thief

On the surreal virtual space, on social media, Under the idle, whispering thunder of updates , Before the growling, ever typing lads, I met a thief, who guessed I had An innocent heart for him to steal. He took my hand and led me under The intimate waxed words which reverberated The shiny praises in the bleeding words. He jumped and plucked the fantasy for me to share ; He sang and laughed and pressed close I gazed: his hair was like the wool of a mountain sheep, His eyes, a pair of blazing fiery balls. Heavy and stark as steel His legs, arms and neck, a hairy, pillowy chest And staircase steps- a curvy dominant six pack; His throat uttered fresh banana juice Matching his face - smooth and chiselled fine Well polished shoes and a matching belt The hound, stark reminder of Juakali endowment Twirling a magical car key, Spitting the Queen's lingua like a true sikh He communicated the confidence, just like the comfortable man I touched - but long before I even tasted My hear...
1 comment
Read more

10 REASONS WHY UHURU KENYATTA MAYBE A ONE TERM PRESIDENT

1.       In 2017 Uhuru will be carrying the burden of incumbency and all unfulfilled dreams will be credited to him by Kenyans 2.       If he succeeds to halt The Hague cases or gets them differed, the ICC issue will be a major campaign platform in 2017. However, unlike in 2013 when it worked to his advantage, Kenyans know that ICC trials are no longer a personal matter. Actually, the president is using the country as hostage against ICC onslaught 3.       There is a high possibility of Ruto beginning to feel jitters about his position in Jubilee and the likelihood of being a credible presidential candidate one day. The more time goes by, the more Ruto’s supporters will want more; some excitement, some surprise 4.       There is a likelihood of Uhuru manages to frustrate his case while that of Ruto drags on. The case of Walter Barasa being used by the Deputy President o...
6 comments
Read more