Kenya Elections: What Value Is The Blogosphere Adding?

A lot has been published in Kenyan blogs about the forthcoming general elections. Some candidates have established their own blogs.

With only a few days remaining to the general elections, and with all major political parties having released their manifestos, the blogosphere has for instance made very little effort in analysing these manifestos and/or the candidates themselves.

Instead, ethnic bigotry, accusations and counter-accusations have flooded blogs some accompanied by extremely sordid images of some the candidates. Short text messages are flying in all directions in the country and beyond.

Presently, there have been unconfirmed reports that one or two media houses in Kenya have been earmarked to serialize the 1982 abortive coup attempt in an effort to smear the name of one of the leading candidates.

Another allegation has been that the proscribed mungiki sect will from this xmas week, unleash untold terror in parts of Langata constituency in order to 'scatter' voters who are known to vote for a particular candidate.

Meanwhile another rumour doing rounds is that one presidential candidate is due to step down in favour of the incumbent on 22nd December, in deal in which a post-election MOU has been reached. A large sum of cash is also said to have changed hands.

But perhaps the most outrageous is that, with several days to the elections, a leading contender for the presidency has already drafted an inauguration speech, set-up a handing-over ceremony programme, prepared a state guest list and also a schedule of cabinet ministers!

Is this a reflection of what the Kenya society is? Why is the country increasingly polarized along ethnic lines instead of embracing nationhood inspite of political differences?

Is the establishment of a truth and reconciliation committee a worthwhile venture for the next administration to seriously consider?

On top of all this, what should be expected of the blogosphere now and in the future?