[September 12, 2011] How Not to Win the Youth Vote Tweet Sep 12, 2011 (The Nation/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- There has been a lot of hullabaloo ever since Raphael Tuju launched his bid for the presidency with his eye on the youth vote. I highly doubt it but if Tuju used sheng as a strategy to get people talking and generate hype and media coverage, then he hit the bull's eye. However, there are a few things that I think he and other politicians should try and move away from in their quest to win the youth vote. I am talking about the presidency. Did you see how he was dressed in the video? If you allow me, I will "cross over" and talk politics since every General Election, we the youth are always targeted by the politicians and they do some really dumb stuff to get our attention. Let's start with the dressing. I don't know who told our politicians that dressing like the "youth" will garner them votes. I know Mark Twain famously said, "Clothes make the man" but let's be honest, I would never vote for someone because he dresses like I did five years ago. By trying to dress like the youth, you end up looking like a clown. There's a group that will be impressed when you show up dressed in those multicoloured "Supras" or skinny jeans but I doubt they will get to the ballot box and that your stunners will make them tick that box. I believe people who try to hide behind fashion and slang usually have no content and want to impress people with their looks. As youth we must move away from such. Also know that just because you are on Twitter and Facebook does not guarantee you votes. Breaking news: The people on social media are not a brand new tribe in Kenya, they are the same people you have been misrepresenting for the last decade who just found a voice. Many politicians borrow heavily from Barack Obama's winning formula in 2008 and how he managed to grab the youth vote in a way never done before. Now here are a few things he never did: I never saw Obama with a "NY" hat, in a hoody or in Jordan sneakers to try and prove he is "one of us" youth. I don't remember him trying to dress like Kanye West, no, he was the same guy people knew from before. But this is what he did, he brought people who were in direct connection with the youth closer to him. From community leaders to celebrities he learned how to target this important block of voters and it worked well. He did not try to be like them. Instead he became their role model and that is not something we have in Kenya. It also helped that he is a cool guy who has written several best sellers, cleans up well and has no scandals and has a beautiful family and can give a speech that can give you goosebumps. Remember that he was 47 when he ran for president but did not use his age as an advantage. Before I forget, stop telling us to vote for you because you are young, youth is not an achievement, it's a phase and everybody has, is or will pass through it. I will not vote for you just because you are below 35. I have seen 60 something year olds who deliver hundred times more than the so-called youthful leaders. And you need experience to be a leader. Every other job asks for experience, why not political leaders! Just because I see you on political rallies does not mean, you are qualified. Then there is the same old line everybody uses: "I understand your plight and I want to fight for your rights?" If I had a shilling for every time I heard that, I would be a millionaire. Show us how you are going to do it and how you have done it. And I will not even talk about tribalism. So dear politician, stop trying so hard, be a role model and show us how you will fight for us. If you can't do that, don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split you. [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]