Fellow Kenyans, it is not that serious, it is not do or die. In fact, no one should die!

News Gang

Yvonne: With 4 days to the General Election, this can only be an extraordinary night. Which is why tonight the newsgang switches to an extraordinary opening and our final words remain final but first.

Gachuri: Indeed, and joint the final word is. My Punchline meets Jamila's Memo as Kaikai's Kicker joins in the heels with Yvonne's Take.

Jamila: Together we, first of all, thank every Kenyan for giving us your attention, we do not take it for granted. And in our minds is next week's General Election slated for Tuesday the 9th of August, 2022.

Linus: They say elections constitute a date with destiny. Periodically, in intervals of 5 years to be precise, we've done this as Kenyans. And we must say with peace, order and committment. And we project Tuesday will not be any different.

Yvonne: Indeed, it has been the longest campaign in the country's history. Quite frankly spanning a minimum of 4 years. Taking many forms from political leaders changing positions, forming new parties and cobbling up new political formations.

Gachuri: It has been 4 years of drama and head spinning political gymnastics. What started as Jubilee gave birth to tanga tanga and kieleweke factions. And ultimately the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a split that kept with the traditions of ruling party implosions that began in 2002.

Jamila: Indeed, and what started as a bitter rivalry between two of Kenya's foremost political protagonists, Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga ended in a surprise and unexpected handshake that morphed into a political outfit that is today angling to form the next government.

Linus: The political formations are a typically Kenyan pre elections phenomenon. We had NARC out of KANU and NDP, we had Jubilee out of TNA and URP and we now have Kenya Kwanza out of UDA, ANC, FORD-Kenya and others as well as Azimio La Umoja, out of Jubilee, ODM and Wiper among others.

And for four straight elections, Kenyans have somehow always picked something out of the rubble.

Yvonne: Indeed, on Tuesday we head back to the pile to pick something that will take us through the next 5 years. And forgive us for our collective description of piles and rubbles because as citizens and patriots we'd truly yearned for better when it comes to the state of our democracy.

Gachuri: Yes we do truly yearn for better. Better structured political parties and well grounded political formations based on ideals and ideologies. A more functional democratic system with predictable patterns and outcomes. And more importantly we yearn for better political campaigns.

Jamila: Better political campaigns indeed. Because we may not be alone tonight among those Kenyans gasping for air. Some of us and some of you out there must be asking themselves, what was all that about? And I am not talking about the noise or frenzy of political campaigns, I am just talking of a worryingly negative trait taking root in our politics.

Linus: Negative traits we must say because the 2022 campaigns have like no other been a contest in negativity. From the ugly fallout between President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to the equally acrimonious contest between Ruto and Azimio boss Raila Odinga, we have reason to yearn for better in terms of the quality of our political discourse.

Yvonne: Then there are the followers who have equally been a most dependable cast dutifully doing the spadework in a messy mudslinging contest. From the hashtag warriors to the occasional official communicators, you have never let anyone down in your respective efforts to showcase your worst.

Gachuri: Indeed, social media has been a landscape teeming with the deplorable when it comes to the quality of political discourse in this country. Raw hatred, contempt and an evil-leaning versions of 'mchong'oano' has painted an image of a country that plays way below it's league when it comes to politics and leadership.

Jamila: In the interest of your good night's sleep we will not go into the details of that mchong'oano or its related discourse. We instead yearn for a Tuesday of sobriety, grace and patriotism. Because you see there is an indelible bottom line: We are all Kenyans at the end of the day, whichever way the election goes.

Linus: Indeed, we reiterate our citizenship and right to belong as Kenyans because some of the campaign rhetoric and online slime-fest has been apocalyptic complete with doomsday scenarios. Some of which have implied an end of times for the vanquished whoever that may be after Tuesday.

Yvonne: Vanquished, a strong word indeed but one that summarises the do-or-die attitude some Kenyans usually approach elections. Our joint message tonight is, fellow kenyans it is not that serious, it is not do or die, infact no one should die. Victors and losers will on Tuesday and beyond remain Kenyans walking the same ground, under the same sun and under the same government and national flag for better or worse. And as one colorful political player suggested, use your lungs not your heart.

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News Gang August Election

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