Kenya’s Political Theatre: Are we Addicted to Drama?

A Steady Stream of Political Drama

From the ouster of Rigathi Gachagua from office to the recent African Union Chairperson lections in Addis Ababa, the Kenyan political space is hardly ever about governance but rather a spectacle, a source of entertainment, and a national pastime. The nation seems to thrive on the twists and turns of mannerless politicians seeking to be worshiped, political deception, party defections, and realignments. Politicians, seemingly enjoying a monopoly of wisdom and knowledge switch allegiances as easily as swiping left of Tinder, and the public swallows the bait, following every move with the intensity of a premier league football audience. The political class understands this well, delivering a steady stream of drama to keep the masses engaged.

Undoubtedly, without these theatrics, Kenya, and especially discourse on social media, would be a far less interesting country for the average folk. The Kenyan adult does not just consumer political drama but actively contributes in fueling it. Election seasons, now every day of the five-year term, are often national festivals of speculation, betrayal, unkept promises, and grand announcements. Discussions on policy, diplomacy, or governance are a distant second to more entertaining saga. Kenyans are more concerned with the circus of it and the political class understands this well, delivering a steady stream of drama to keep the masses engaged, and to where. The public thrives on these distractions, often at the expense of meaningful political discourse.

Peculiar Relationships with Politics over Substance

But this addiction to political drama is not just an amusing pastime; it is a symptom of a deeper national crisis. A country with a jobless, frustrated citizenry, largely disillusioned with economic prospects, has found entertainment in a political class that serves them theatrics instead of solutions. The big question is: has this culture of political entertainment fueled Kenya’s socio-economic stagnation?

Kenyans have a peculiar relationship with politics and every individual is analytics, of theatrics and what they could mean to, well, their favorite political demigod. Unlike what is expected of a 60-year old democracy where voters scrutinize manifestos and demand accountability, Kenyan politics is largely a game of personalities, tribal affiliations, and political survival. In fact, if your tribe and tribal alignment is insignificant in numbers, dare not seek an office in any jurisdiction. The focus is never on who has the best plan to fix the economy, improve education, or streamline healthcare. Rather, the discussion is often centered on which politician has outmaneuvered the other, who has delivered the most dramatic press conference, or who has been seen having "secret" meetings with rivals.

Political discourse is there a daily social activity to nowhere for the average Kenyan with a sizeable platform to air their views. Tea Kibandas, buses, and workplaces are buzzing with debates over the latest betrayals and power plays. Political figures become heroes or villains depending on the shifting tides of their alliances. This endless cycle ensures that there is never a dull moment, and politicians capitalize on this obsession by continuously manufacturing new intrigues to remain relevant.

"Unlike what is expected of a 60-year old democracy where voters scrutinize manifestos and demand accountability, Kenyan politics is largely a game of personalities, tribal affiliations, and political survival."

Worse still, political theatrics breed voter apathy. Many young Kenyans, frustrated by the circus, opt out of elections altogether. They see voting as meaningless because the same faces keep reappearing in different political formations, making it seem like nothing ever changes. The result? A disengaged population that does not demand better leadership, allowing the same political elite to recycle themselves indefinitely. Elections end, but the campaigning never stops.

Media, Public Role in the Circus

Many Kenyans engage with politics the same way they do with football—they pick sides, defend their team (political party), and celebrate victories even when they gain nothing from them. Political drama provides much-needed excitement in a country where economic hardships are the norm. It is easier to argue about which politician will betray the other than to confront the reality that unemployment, corruption, and poor governance are strangling the nation.

Kenyan media plays a significant role in amplifying political theatrics, with social media where anyone can be an exclusive reporter fueling the developments. News outlets understand that sensational headlines sell, and so they dedicate prime time slots to covering the latest political stunts. I dare claim that the most-watched TV interviews are not on economic policies or legislative debates but on political feuds, accusations, and counter-accusations. The audience is by far drawn to drama and not substance.

Social media excels at entrenching the culture of none-issues in governance. X, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups serve as platforms for endless political debates, gossip, and speculation. Politicians fuel these conversations, knowing that engagement—whether positive or negative—keeps them relevant. The more controversial, the better. A well-timed defection or a provocative statement can dominate the news cycle for days.

The Illusion of Political Awareness

Kenya's deep engagement with political drama gives the illusion of a politically aware citizenry. However, a closer look reveals that much of this engagement is superficial. Many Kenyans can predict political realignments with impressive accuracy but struggle to articulate the policy positions of their preferred candidates. There is an obsession with the "who" of politics rather than the "what" and "how."

Moreover, if history is anything to go by, this phenomenon is nor accidental. Politicians know that if the public were to focus on policy, governance, and accountability, many of them would not survive politically. They thrive in an environment where distractions take precedence over real issues. The electorate, in turn, finds comfort in the circus, preferring familiar entertainment to the harder work of demanding real change. This is by no means meant to discredit the recent agitation for change by Kenyan Generation Zs.

Moving Beyond the Political Drama

The question therefore arises: Is Kenya destined to be forever entertained by political theatrics, or can the nation shift towards issue-based politics? The answer depends on whether Kenyans are willing to break their addiction to political drama. A politically conscious society must demand more than just entertainment from its leaders. It must push for substantive discussions on governance, economic policies, and national development. There is seemingly a brewing movement towards this future associated with the Gen Z voter but occasional interferences of tribalism, greed, and frustration from the government remain a stumbling block.

For this to be realized, the media and thought leaders must prioritize policy-driven journalism over sensational coverage of politics especially on social media platforms. The civil society must educate citizens, right from young primary school days to the ageing village folk, on the importance of issue-based politics. Most importantly, Kenyans must recognize their role in fueling the current state of affairs and choose to shift the narrative. Until then, the political theatre will continue, and Kenyans will remain its most loyal audience.

#KenyaPolitics #PoliticalDrama #IssueBasedPolitics

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