Author Reference
Lango,
B. (2017). How to plan for your month during an
electioneering month. Intel
Fire Group of Companies Blog. Nairobi, Kenya. October 02, 2016.
In African countries the mentioning
of an election brings a chill down the citizens’ spine due to the uncertainty
that comes with it. In Kenya this is worse when the environment of violence has
been experienced before and as the elections are again approaching evidence of
mass fear only propagates the need to prepare for any outcome that will
certainly include celebrations, protests and the insecurity that comes with it
all. It is important to note that the most insecure month is usually the
electioneering month as it slows all sectors apart from the political affront. As
an individual there is need to prepare for the month and your course of action
in readiness for the month should start early enough and should the environment
change to your disadvantage, you will be well prepared. An individual should
therefore take into consideration the following 5 factors as the electioneering
period approaches:
1. Source of basic needs and their sustainability
Remember during the electioneering
month and the actual election day you and family will need to continue eating
as normal as this is not a fasting month. The most serious threat to one’s
family is that of their basic needs and their sources and this is why when one
is certain of food, clothing and housing the next level of need is safety need.
During the electioneering period review where you get your food, whether your
house and clothing will be safe during the period. Not all are gifted to live
in a gated community with controlled access, so take pride in your environment
and ensure it remains safe and secure during the period. Your source of basic needs
should be consistent during this period and should not at any one point
experience any turbulence because if it does then it means its access will cost
you more. In the post threat electioneering period experience in the county the
supermarkets were jammed in urban centers while local markets had inflated
prices of the basic food commodity. The food experts and the economists notes
that when there is possibility of uncertainty in constant supply of food as a
basic need then the best mitigation measure is to put in place enough to cushion
one from inflation. This means buying dry food products like rice, beans,
cooking flour, and others in bulk to ensure continuous sustainability.
2. Communication network with family members
The most important part of a family
is communication and more so the days leading to the Election Day itself. As an
individual have a close network with immediate family members and friends as
this is one way of being informed of the happenings of your surroundings. Family
members should be able to have a casual agreement during this period of month to
include occasional updates, checking on those left back in the house, and
having a special number that can be used for emergency purposes amongst the
members of the family. Studies have
revealed that politics at the village area are more of propaganda and half-truths
hence it is important to keep checking on how your rural family is coping. If
you were born in city or town and have no rural home then lucky you as you are
more informed and will not be easily indoctrinated. During periods of turmoil
and great uncertainty you can count on your friends more than family therefore
let no one come between you and your long-term trusted friends, not even the
elephant in the room (tribe). It is also important to memorize critical numbers
which may include your spouse’s, siblings, or close friend or family members. With
the invention of iPhones more and more people have become lazier as people know
only the last name in the phone contacts and wooh your number is there. What
happens when you lose the phone during this period and needs urgent assistance?
3. Means of transport and travelling arrangement
As mentioned earlier during
electioneering period the days to the D-day are active so are the months to the
M-Month. As an individual planning to travel to your rural village to be
certain that if the worst happen you are safe amongst your village mates even
if it’s a fallacy, ensure the travel plans are done way before to avoid the
surprises that tension bring during this period. Naivasha, a town in Kenya and
many others such have experience unprecedented and unplanned mass travel orchestrated
by mass fear of the M-Month and the D-Day activities and utterances. The saying
“East or West home is best” can be
re-invented to say “North or South your
village is the best”. This is because once to you travel to your village
you have a sense of security even if the village does not accept you and your
urban ways at least they will protect their own. If you are blessed to own a locomotive
(read a simple car) or a machine (read a state of the art SUV vehicle)
when travelling have your time plan in check and do not travel at night. Also
do not give lifts to others unknown or known to you but headed to a different
final destination as they will slow you down in cases of emergencies but again
you are advised by experts never to drive the locomotive or machine while alone
as this will make you easy target. While traveling by bus do not go for just
any bus but use the ones that are reputable meaning for example one that is
able to send a second bus if the one you had boarded breaks down along the way.
They may be expensive, but sometimes it is better to consider what is at stake,
and cheap in the long run is always expensive. Always travel safe and during Election
Day minimize your travel to only emergency cases until calm returns and the
high tension eases.
4. Security Agents Direct Contact Lines
The bureaucrats believe that the
government has long arms and these are spread all over across the country. It is
for this sole reason that there are security agents all over the country and has
established stations to ensure law and order. Kenya has police stations spread
all over the country and depending on where one is it is important to have a
direct line to the station. The direct line contact numbers are available
online from various sites including the https://misterfix.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/useful-emergency-numbers-to-kenya-police-stations-hospitals/
link which outlines the police station hotline numbers and for major hospitals
in Kenya. Take this simple opportunity pick a number to a station or hospital
near you as you never know how soon you will need them.
5. Be an Optimist rather than a Pessimist
Psychologist describes a person as
either one who is optimistic in life and see their adversaries as avenues for
more opportunities and that in all their troubles there is a better tomorrow,
and the other as a pessimist who sees everything and anything as the worst of
yet the worst to come and believe that every bad happening leads to even a
bigger one. These are the doomsayers and believe that that is the way the world
is and the more the happening, the nearer the end of the world. With an
electioneering year the doomsayers are usually in their numbers and includes
even the most learned of them all calling themselves political analysis and yet
others have packaged themselves as peace campaigners and the only objective is
to irk the environment for more funding. As individual it would be important to
join the optimists as this is a day like any other day and quoting a famous
leader “Life will not stop whether you
vote for me or not”. The day itself is not even aware that it is hosting an
election event and runs like it does not care that your life depend on it and
continues as if nothing is on. Be optimistic in life as it is a better
encouragement for a better tomorrow than being pessimistic as it does not give
hope for a better life today and tomorrow. ELECTION OF POLITICAL LEADERS IN A SOCIETY IS
AN EVENT TO CHANGE PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE BETTER BUT DO NOT BET ON IT
WITH YOUR LIFE AS IT IS EQUIVALENT TO SELLING YOUR SOLE.
The writer is a PhD Generalist in
Service Delivery and Project Management.
