Paid glory or real service? Politicians must not buy recognition

Every election cycle, Kenyans are treated to colorful banners, flashy certificates, and endless media posts declaring this or that politician as the “best performing.” At first glance, such awards may look like objective recognition of hard work and dedication to the people. But beneath the glitter lies a reality that many ordinary citizens are rarely told: most of these accolades are not earned through merit, they are bought.

Recently, several commercial entities have cropped up, branding themselves as “research firms” or “award institutions.” Their business model is simple: for a fee, they rank leaders, present them with certificates, and paint them as exceptional performers. The end goal is not necessarily to celebrate real transformation on the ground, but to polish the image of those who can afford the price tag.

This raises fundamental questions. If a leader is genuinely transforming lives, building schools, funding bursaries, improving hospitals, fixing roads, and easing the cost of living for their people, shouldn’t the people themselves already be the loudest witnesses? Why would they need to pay for recognition? After all, development speaks for itself.

The truth is, these paid recognitions only serve the interests of the political class. They distort public perception, creating an illusion that certain leaders are exceptional while ordinary citizens still grapple with skyrocketing food prices, unaffordable fuel, and a shrinking economy. Such glorification becomes a dangerous distraction, pulling us away from asking the hard questions about leadership and accountability.

It is understandable that politics is a game of perception and every politician wants to outshine their rivals. But when image is purchased rather than earned, it becomes a betrayal of the mwananchi. Leaders who spend money on polishing their names instead of investing those resources back into tangible development projects reveal where their priorities truly lie.

What we need as Kenyans is honesty and transparency. If awards are commercial services, let them be declared as such, paid publicity, not objective recognition. That way, wananchi will know these accolades are no different from billboards or political posters. And if leaders truly want to be remembered as performers, they should focus less on certificates and rankings, and more on the legacy of change they leave in their communities.

In the end, it is not plaques or certificates that matter. It is the mother who can afford food for her children, the student who receives bursary support on time, the sick who can access medicine at the local hospital, and the farmer who gets value for his sweat. No award can replace genuine service.

As citizens, we must refuse to be dazzled by PR games. Development is not bought recognition. Development is visible, it is lived, and it speaks louder than any certificate.

By Sebastian Karani Asava