There have been a lot of exciting surprises in the concluded- August 2022 Elections.
One is George Nene, a 22-year-old fourth-year student from Egerton University who won the Elementaita Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat against all odds.
Most of Nene’s competitors were political bigwigs who threw their money to citizens to persuade them to vote. The bigwigs even moved in big cars, showing their might (there is no secret that our political culture entails believing in wealthy candidates since they can woo us with their money)
Well, all Nene had was a donkey and cart, which was not his. He told the media people who interviewed him that a friend had given him the donkey and the cart to help his campaign. The cart carried a public address that enabled him to reach as many people as possible.
While you may laugh that Nene moved on a donkey, Nene was satisfied since he had no campaign funds or friends who could support him financially.
Before the donkey came into the picture, Nene used to long distances asking people to vote for him. He would sometimes ride his bicycle.
At least the donkey, the cart, and the public address system came in handy!
While the donated donkey, cart, and public system eased his campaign strategy, he still faced many other challenges.
Nene told the media that his competitors weaponized his young age. They would argue that he was too young to handle county funds. Some used the fact that he is not married to claim he would be unable to manage the ward.
He also had to deal with the fact that he was from a small party, Safina, and his competitors were candidates of powerful parties like Jubilee, UDA, and Wiper.
Nonetheless, h managed to persuade the people of Elementaita Ward to accept his agenda.
Nene won with 4310 votes, with his closest rivalry garnering 4285 votes.
He attributes his win to his family, friends, and the public for supporting him throughout the campaign period.
Interestingly, Nene got the donkey, cart, and the public address system a month before the elections. He also disclosed that his friends would hold a Harambee function every Sunday at his home to contribute funds to facilitate his campaign.
Truly, nothing is unachievable.
Mkenya Leo congratulates Nene for making it and showing the youth that political seats can be won without flushing money to the electorates.
