We’ve compiled a list of reasons why it really is a good idea to vote…

1) Make politicians care

Have you ever felt like politicians aren’t bothered about you? Well, if you’re not registered, why would they be? Only 44% of 18 to 24-year-olds voted in the 2013 general election, compared to 76% of over 65s. If young people aren’t voting, politicians aren’t listening.

2) You can’t complain if you don’t vote

As Kenyans we love nothing more than having a bit of a moan of false manifestos. But if we don’t vote, then what right do we have to complain if things don’t work out the way we want them to?

3) The current regime doesn’t want you to vote

If you don’t vote, nothing changes, the tyranny of numbers that favours the regime doesnt change, And the establishment wants things to stay the same. Sick of things how they are? The power to make a change is in your hands…

4) Improve your credit rating

Not being on the electoral roll damages your credit rating in CRB. Being registered to vote will help you with things like mobile Loans, housing and buying a car. Surprised? I am too, because this point aint entirely true, not in Kenya, but with the right goverment, your life status rating does surely change, with the right government in place, even your marital status rating will change, positively

5) This guy’s gonna be voting…

Your leaders always vote. If you don’t like their opinions and want your own views to be heard, the only way to rebalance this is to have your say at the ballot box on August 2017. You can not have your pizza and munch it, get out and vote for your leaders

6) Not happy with any of the choices available?

If you don’t like what any of the candidates are offering, you can spoil your ballot paper. Cross out all the names on the ballot paper, write or draw something funny or rude on it if you have to. It’s a better way of showing your dissatisfaction than not voting at all. You need to be registered to do this.

7) People in other countries still can’t vote

Some people can’t vote in other countries because they’re poor, because of their gender or because they don’t live in a democracy. They’re still fighting for the right to vote. In Kenya, you have that democratic right bestowed upon you, use it wisely

8) Parties can represent your values and beliefs

Ok, so you may not agree 100% with everything that a political party wants to do. But if you broadly agree with a party’s values and agree with most of its policies, get stuck in and vote. If you’re waiting for perfection, you might be waiting a very long time…

9) You pay your taxes

So it’s your money the Government is spending shipping in 10 million ‘Smart Cards'(What an irony, smart cards and manual backup), and apparently ‘stealing’ in endless scams. Each political side has very different plans for how it wants to steal, sorry,,spend your money. By registering you can have a say on what happens to your hard-earned cash.

10) ‘They’re all the same…’

This isn’t true. Okay, so a lot of politicians might LOOK the same or BEHAVE in a similar way. But even the most basic research shows that the main parties have very different views on topics like the economy, immigration, youth agenda, education (Am not talking about Matiangi) and much more.

11) This General Election is too close to call

Everyone agrees. The General Election in August 2017 will be the closest in a very, very long time. Nobody can predict what’s going to happen. This means that now, more than ever, every vote really does make a difference. Don’t waste yours.

12) Have your say on other things that affect you

Registering to vote means that, as well as being able to affect the result of the General Election in August 2017, you can also have your say in local elections. You’ll also be able to vote in any referendums that take place across the country thereafter, we might need to constitute the prime minister position, you know

13) Politicians are nice!

That’s right. It’s not a typo. I know a lot of the headlines we read about politicians and politics in general are negative. But that’s because positive headlines don’t sell newspapers or generate many clicks online. Think about it. ‘MP helps constituent with school fees’ – how boring is that?! But in reality, most politicians go into politics for the right reasons (yah, realy, I know 10s of them, okay, around 5,,okay, I am not sure of others, but I am sure of my Constituent aspirant, Law). They want to make a difference and help others.

14) Don’t let negative headlines put you off

It’s good to read the news from a variety of different sources and be well informed, but don’t let negative headlines put you off voting. Do your own research, think for yourself and come to your own conclusions. That way you can feel confident that you’re using your vote in the right way for the right reasons.

Do not listen to mainstream media, they are all a bunch of liars

@mwanaaReginah @masakuNews