By Silvanus Osoro
So, we arrived in Lamu a little early, ahead of tomorrow (Wednesday)’s event.
Since the day was still young, CS Ruku GK, Hon. Leo Wa Muthende, Mutai Alfred and I decided to take a walk deep into Shela village on Lamu Island.
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Weeeee!
Let me tell you, folks, it felt so good walking through the village, meeting tens and tens of people, with not a single person recognising any of us.
I then decided to propose a challenge to my fellow walkers, which they all accepted.
The challenge was simple: stop anyone we met and ask whether they knew any of us.
Weeeee! Sisi tulidhani tunajulikana, kumbe tuko chiiiiini mbaya!
The youngest among us, Hon. Mutai, was appointed secretary for the day.
Folks, we took an eight-kilometre walk, meeting all kinds of people — young and old, big and small, men and women, some in groups and others walking alone.
Of the more than 500 people we encountered, about 15 recognised me. Around 13 recognised CS Ruku, while only two knew Hon. Leo Wa Muthende. Our secretary? None!
😂😂😂
But that aside, we went on to ask the people we met about the names of politicians they knew in Kenya.
Names of MCAs, largely aspirants, came up, followed by elected MPs and their competitors, and then governors. But when it came to the national political leadership, only three names appeared repeatedly in the conversations we had.
The most mentioned name was William Samoei Ruto.
Yaani, hadi wanatuonyesha mahali yeye husimama akija huku! Kwani jamaa alianza kuja hapa lini?
Baba Raila was also mentioned several times, with some people becoming visibly emotional as they spoke about him.
Kalonzo was mentioned by about 20 per cent of the people we encountered.
VIJANA WENZANGU, KENYA NI KUUUUUBWA.
TUKO NA SAFARI BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA EXCITEMENT.
The experience left us reflecting on the reality that political visibility on social media does not necessarily translate into recognition everywhere across the country.
We eventually had to gather some of the villagers so that we could introduce ourselves properly.
And now we are here by the ocean, enjoying the mchicha they have prepared for us.
Na waliitana kweli kweli!
– Silvanus Osoro is the Member of Parliament, South Mugirango Constituency and Majority Leader, National Assembly of Kenya. He first published this article on Facebook
