Is it possible to have a Kenya where every vote cast is a conscious decision? I mean rooted in values and informed by genuine dialogue between citizens and their leaders? It almost sounds like a fairytale, but this was the vision of The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) as they approached ThinkIllustrate with a bold idea before the 2022 general elections.
TISA understood that our leadership choices should transcend popularity contests or party loyalty. True leadership, they believe, should be founded on solid values and a genuine commitment to serving the people. With this belief, they set out to create a platform for citizens to directly engage with their potential leaders. In four counties across Kenya, TISA facilitated town hall meetings where citizens had the rare opportunity to interview their candidates. It was interesting to see a little civil interaction between the citizens and the candidates where the citizens held the power and owned their country.
The premise was straightforward yet it held a firm promise: if companies meticulously select the best candidates for jobs through rigorous interviews, why shouldn’t we, as voters, do the same when choosing our leaders? After all, elected positions are jobs like any other jobs that directly impact our lives and Moreso these are even more crucial as they dictate the state of your stay in your country and to an extent even how you progress in life. Giving power to these candidates is giving them your full trust and control of more than just your welfare in the country but your mental wellness as well. Think about it. We are somewhat emotionally affected and drained by the current political state of our country. Aren’t we?
TISA enabled the citizens to pose questions to the candidates about their values, their plans, and how they intended to represent the people’s interests. The Citizens also voiced their priorities, clearly stating, “This is what we want you to do for us.” It was an exercise in direct democracy, where the citizens’ voices were heard loud and clear. Talk of active and true public participation.
As the town halls wrapped up, it became clear that TISA had sparked something powerful—a movement towards more informed, values-driven voting. Citizens left these meetings not just with answers to their questions but with a deeper understanding of what true leadership should look like. This was more than just a series of events; it was a shift in how we, as a society, can hold our leaders accountable.
In the next part of this series, we’ll explore how ThinkIllustrate contributed to this transformative process and the lasting impact it had on the communities involved.