Shortly before Christmas Day, I received a call on my mobile phone from a source that did no reveal the number. A deep but courteous voice greeted me in Swahili: "Jambo?" to which I naturally answered. He went on: "I am Mwai Kibaki. ..." After a few minutes, he concluded, "May God bless you".

Indeed, it was the President asking for my vote personally and before I realised that it was a recorded political campaign message, the thought of the Head of State calling me was quite perplexing. Does he know me? Who gave him my number?