Monday, 7 May 2007

THE THEATRE OF THE ABSURD POLLS

In our political arena, few things call for superior minds. In fact, since our MP’s re anything but smart, you don’t need to be graduate to figure them out.

However, one thing that has consistently, escaped this blogger's simple mind is the current polls being churned left, right and centre by all manner of research organizations, public, private and what have you.

Apart from percentages (of what?) and the names of candidates and polled, for this blogger, everything else might as well as be in Chinese!

Consider this: Some few weeks ago we were told that Kibaki’s ratings were at 50%. Hardly had the ink dried on the paper than another poll showed that his ratings had gone up overnight to a 65% the highest so far! Being neither too clever nor too stupid, I believe that for every effect (15% rise) there is a corresponding cause (?).

My two cents worth of opinion is that such a rise/drop needs some tangible reason for it to be noted. I repeat that’s, my opinion!

Look at this: Immediately after 9/11, Bush’s rating went to a high of more that 75%. The reason being that, Americans coalesced around the President and that Institution of the Presidency! Now that is a tangible reason for a surge in rating. And, that is what we are lacking here!

What we have in our scenario, is factors or rather issues that would ensure that Kibaki’s rating is forever in the one digit bracket! How do you sort out these issues?


  • Anglo Leasing Scams
    Lucy storming t Nation Media
    The Standard Raid by Rattled Snakes aka Government
    The Artur Brothers Escapade
    President’s preoccupation on members of his immediate family
    Kibaki’s latest acquired lingua franca mavi ya kuku, pumbavu, wakufe etc
    The return of the matatu menace
    The Mungiki bloodletting
    The Return of the rut Brothers
    Tribalism in Government
    Unemployment
    Escalating poverty
    Rise in cost of essential commodities
    Mt Elgon clashes



And many more that this simple mind can’t recall.
And, if all the above kept the President’s ratings skyrocketing, then by God I need civic education!

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