A presidential election is more than a competition for political power. It is an opportunity for citizens to determine the direction of their country and the kind of leadership they want for the future. A presidential candidate therefore has a responsibility to present more than campaign slogans, political alliances and promises. Candidates seeking the highest office must demonstrate that they understand the problems facing citizens and have credible, practical and measurable solutions.
In many political campaigns, however, public debate is dominated by personalities, political parties, ethnic alliances and accusations between competing camps. While these issues may influence elections, they should not replace substantive discussion about governance and the welfare of citizens. Voters need to know what a candidate intends to do, how the proposed programmes will be implemented, how much they will cost and how the public will determine whether the promises have been fulfilled.
In the Kenyan context, ten major issues deserve particular attention: the economy and cost of living; employment and youth opportunities; healthcare; education; corruption and accountability; public debt and government expenditure; agriculture and food security; national security and unity; infrastructure and housing; and governance, democracy and constitutionalism.
These issues provide a framework through which presidential candidates can be questioned and evaluated on their capacity to govern rather than merely their ability to win elections.
1. Economy and Cost of Living
The state of the economy is one of the most immediate concerns for ordinary citizens. Economic performance cannot be measured only through national statistics or reports of economic growth. For most households, the economy is experienced through the price of food, rent, transport, electricity, education, healthcare and other essential goods and services.
Every presidential candidate should therefore provide a clear strategy for reducing the cost of living while promoting sustainable economic growth. Candidates should explain how they will increase household incomes, support businesses, attract investment and create an environment in which the private sector can expand.
Taxation must also be central to the discussion. Citizens deserve to know which taxes a candidate intends to increase, reduce or abolish and why. Candidates should explain how they will balance revenue collection with the ability of households and businesses to survive and grow.
Most importantly, campaign promises must be accompanied by financial realism. A candidate should be required to answer three basic questions: How much will the policy cost? Where will the money come from? And what measurable improvement should citizens expect?
2. Jobs and Youth Unemployment
Kenya has a large and youthful population, making employment creation one of the country’s most important political and economic challenges. Young people require opportunities not only for employment but also for entrepreneurship, innovation and meaningful participation in the economy.
Presidential candidates should therefore move beyond general promises to “create jobs.” They should identify the sectors that will generate employment and explain the policies that will make this possible. Manufacturing, agriculture, construction, healthcare, tourism, technology and the creative industries all have potential, but potential alone does not create jobs.
Candidates should explain how they will support small and medium-sized enterprises, which are important sources of employment. They should also address access to affordable finance, markets, technology and business skills.
The education system must be connected to employment opportunities. Thousands of young people leave schools, colleges and universities every year, yet many struggle to find productive work. A credible presidential agenda must therefore address the gap between education and the labour market.
The central question should be: What specific jobs will you create, in which sectors, within what period, and how will you finance the programme?
3. Healthcare
Healthcare is a fundamental component of human development. A country cannot achieve sustainable economic development when citizens cannot access affordable and quality healthcare.
Every presidential candidate should explain how they will strengthen healthcare delivery. This includes healthcare financing, insurance coverage, public hospitals, medicines, medical equipment and the availability of doctors, nurses, clinical officers and other healthcare professionals.
Healthcare policy should also address maternal and child health, emergency care, preventive healthcare and access to services in rural and underserved communities.
Candidates should be particularly clear about healthcare financing. Citizens need to know how proposed reforms will be funded and how the government will prevent patients from being pushed into poverty because of medical expenses.
The healthcare question is therefore simple but fundamental: How will your government ensure that an ordinary citizen can obtain quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship?
4. Education and Skills Development
Education is the foundation of a country’s human capital. It determines the quality of the workforce, the ability of citizens to participate in the economy and the country’s capacity to compete in a rapidly changing world.
Every presidential candidate should present a clear education agenda covering basic education, technical and vocational training, universities and professional development. Quality should receive as much attention as access.
The country must also confront the challenge of graduates who possess academic qualifications but struggle to secure employment. Education should equip learners with practical, technical, entrepreneurial and digital skills that correspond to changing labour-market demands.
Technical and vocational education deserves particular attention because economic transformation requires skilled technicians, artisans and professionals across many sectors.
Candidates should therefore explain not only how they will expand education but also how they will improve its relevance and quality.
5. Corruption and Public Accountability
Corruption undermines development by diverting public resources from essential services and weakening confidence in government institutions. Money lost through corruption represents schools that may not be built, hospitals that may not receive equipment and roads that may not be completed.
Every presidential candidate should therefore present a credible anti-corruption strategy. Such a strategy should address public procurement, financial management, public appointments, conflicts of interest and accountability for public resources.
However, the greatest test of political commitment to fighting corruption is whether accountability will apply to political allies. It is easy to promise to fight corruption when referring to one’s opponents. The real test comes when allegations involve one’s own supporters, financiers or senior government officials.
Candidates should therefore answer directly: Will your government investigate and prosecute corruption regardless of political affiliation?
Public procurement should also become more transparent, while oversight institutions should be protected from political interference.
6. Public Debt and Government Expenditure
Public borrowing can finance development when it is responsible and directed toward productive investments. However, excessive borrowing can reduce fiscal flexibility and place a financial burden on future generations.
Every presidential candidate should therefore present a clear policy on public debt. Candidates must explain how they intend to finance government programmes, manage existing obligations and avoid unsustainable borrowing.
Government expenditure is equally important. Citizens deserve value for every shilling collected through taxation or borrowing. A candidate should identify areas where government spending can be reduced without compromising essential services.
Campaign promises should consequently be subjected to financial scrutiny. A candidate promising free services, new infrastructure, subsidies or expanded government programmes must explain their financial implications.
The fundamental question is: How will you finance your agenda while protecting taxpayers and maintaining sustainable public finances?
7. Agriculture and Food Security
Agriculture remains critical to Kenya’s economy and to the livelihoods of millions of citizens. It also has a direct impact on the cost of living because food prices affect every household.
Presidential candidates should therefore provide a comprehensive agricultural strategy. This should address the cost of farm inputs, access to affordable credit, irrigation, extension services, storage, markets and agricultural technology.
Farmers must be able to earn sustainable incomes from their work. Increasing production without providing reliable markets can leave farmers vulnerable to exploitation and losses.
The government should also encourage value addition and agro-processing so that agricultural products generate greater economic value before leaving the country or reaching consumers.
Food security must similarly be treated as a national priority. Candidates should explain how they intend to increase domestic production, reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize food supplies.
The question is not simply whether Kenya can produce food, but whether farmers can profitably produce it and ordinary citizens can afford to buy it.
8. National Security and National Unity
The first responsibility of government is to protect citizens and safeguard the country’s sovereignty. National security must therefore remain a central presidential issue.
Candidates should explain how they will address crime, terrorism, border security, cyber threats and other emerging security challenges. However, security must operate within the Constitution and respect the rights of citizens.
National unity is equally important. Kenya’s political competition has often been influenced by ethnic and regional identities. A president must therefore be capable of governing the entire country rather than representing only those who voted for them.
Candidates should explain how they will promote national cohesion, equitable development and inclusion. Political differences should not become permanent divisions within society.
A presidential candidate should be asked: How will you make Kenyans safer while ensuring that security institutions respect the Constitution and the rights of citizens?
9. Infrastructure, Housing and Basic Services
Infrastructure provides the foundation for economic activity and quality of life. Roads, electricity, water, transport, housing and digital connectivity influence both citizens and businesses.
Presidential candidates should clearly identify the infrastructure priorities of their proposed government. They should explain which projects are necessary, what they will cost and how they will be financed.
Infrastructure development must also be accompanied by accountability. Large projects can become opportunities for corruption, inflated costs and waste if procurement and implementation are not properly monitored.
Housing is another major concern, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Affordable housing should be considered not merely as a construction programme but as part of a broader strategy involving employment, urban planning, transport, water and sanitation.
Candidates should therefore explain how infrastructure and housing programmes will improve the lives of ordinary citizens rather than simply creating opportunities for contractors and investors.
10. Governance, Democracy and Constitutionalism
Economic development cannot be separated from governance. Strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountability and constitutional government are essential to sustainable national development.
Every presidential candidate should explain how they will protect democratic institutions and respect the separation of powers. They should also demonstrate their commitment to devolution, human rights, freedom of expression and independent oversight institutions.
The presidency carries enormous authority, making institutional checks and balances particularly important. Public institutions should serve the public rather than political interests.
A strong democracy is not simply about winning an election. It is about how leaders behave after winning. A president must respect citizens who voted differently, protect institutions and accept lawful scrutiny.
Candidates should therefore be asked: Will you strengthen institutions that can hold your government accountable, even when their decisions are politically inconvenient?
The Five Questions Behind Every Political Promise
Although these ten issues cover major areas of national concern, citizens should apply the same test to every campaign promise.
First, what exactly will you do? Candidates must provide specific policies rather than vague slogans.
Second, how will you do it? A promise must be supported by a credible implementation strategy.
Third, how much will it cost? Citizens have a right to understand the financial implications of government programmes.
Fourth, where will the money come from? Candidates should identify whether programmes will be financed through taxation, borrowing, savings, private investment or reallocation of existing expenditure.
Finally, how will success be measured? Every major promise should have measurable targets and a timeline.
These questions would significantly improve political accountability because they shift political debate from rhetoric to evidence and implementation.
Conclusion
Presidential elections should be competitions of ideas, policies and leadership capacity. Political personalities and alliances will always matter, but they should not overshadow the issues that determine the quality of citizens’ lives.
The ten issues of the economy, employment, healthcare, education, corruption, public debt, agriculture, security, infrastructure and governance provide a foundation for serious presidential debate. Every candidate seeking the presidency should be prepared to explain their position on these issues clearly and honestly.
Citizens should also demand more than attractive campaign promises. They should ask candidates to demonstrate how their proposals will be implemented, financed and measured. A candidate who promises everything without explaining how it will be achieved should not be considered more visionary; such promises may simply be politically convenient.
Ultimately, the presidency is not a reward for winning an election. It is a mandate to govern an entire nation. The person seeking that mandate should therefore be prepared to answer difficult questions before receiving the people’s trust.