Roger Jason Stone is an American political consultant credited with the saying ‘Perception is reality in politics.’
Many politicians seem to adopt this saying in a quest to leverage on the sustainability of their offices.
The task for all governors is how to improve the livelihoods of the citizens.
It is really just that simple.
To manage the challenge, many resort to activities they present as achievements.
What, then, is the primary difference between activities and achievements?
Activities are the tasks and events that are undertaken by the governor that focus purely on processes or procedures for implementation of a path to a goal, without any tangible deliverables that bring the goal closer.
In other words, activities are a process, which may or may not yield any lasting benefit.
An achievement, on the other hand, is the positive and tangible, and indeed measurable, outcome of a deliberate effort and execution of a plan.
When a governor visits the family of a bereaved supporter and gives financial assistance, he has engaged in an activity which may be greatly beneficial to that family, but still remains an activity.
If, however, the governor, after data-driven reports and financial analysis, waives all mortuary fees for a specific type of death or demographic, this can be termed as an achievement.
How, then, would one identify and evaluate the difference between mere activities and positive achievements?
The two broad methods of measurement are quantitative and qualitative.
Quantitative is based on numbers and volume while qualitative is based on value and intensity.
For activities to have the desired effect, the number of events has to be remarkably high so as to create the perception of progress.
Activities are therefore quantitative in their fundamental character.
An achievement is, however, qualitative and measurable through key performance indicators as to the real value it adds to lives.
When a governor has news reports indicating him having crucial functions every day for the last 12 months, one must assess the nature of functions whether social, administrative, political of development based.
A further evaluation ought to be done as to which outlet is reporting and on what media.
If the activities are reported by the county information service team on social media, then the content borders on propaganda.
If, however, the activities are reported by the mainstream media on their respective outlets, then the content becomes more credible.
Timelines is another method of differentiating activities from achievements.
There is a task that has a short planning and execution duration and essentially ends with the close of the event.
This is the nature of activities.
But there is detailed evidence-based conceptualising, planning, designing and rollout with constant monitoring and evaluation before it can be termed an achievement.
The duration is usually mid to long term and sustained effort is mandatory.
When a governor uses a social or low-key events to inform or defend his policies then it is most probably a knee-jerk reaction to anticipated criticism or public outcry.
An analysis of the governor of Mombasa’s October calendar of events, for example, indicate he had 31 functions or events on record.
Of these events, 54 per cent were administrative, entailing among others meeting visiting dignitaries and attending events where he was not the host.
Another 26 per cent of the functions pertained directly to the ODM party, where he is deputy party leader.
Social events including church and volleyball competition attendance took 16 per cent of his time.
Development and project oriented activity, which got four per cent of his attention, was unfortunately in the neighbouring county of Kilifi.
With such prevailing statistics the governor has his work cut out for him.
FATMA BARAYAN
Lawyer
