The story here in most African countries is weird. Its like the only time these politicians seem to care is when election is approaching.
I'm surprised there even is an election when they can just vote themselves in. Like that Mugabe who kept winning elections - and won the lottery multiple times as well. Oh well, let's see if he wins the elections in hell.
Incumbent just need enough public approval to keep themselves in office and new entrants, of course, want to get in. Sure there are politicians who probably care about their constituents but the thing is, I think they are rare, especially when majority of politicians in a country are from political dynasties.
Not only in African Countries but Asian countries as well, they only know you in times of election, but after the election, you will never see them again in the next three years, I've known one politician who shakes hands-on every people he comes across when election time, but after he gets on his car, his bodyguard pour alcohols in his hands because he feared that he might contaminated by the people he shakes his hands with, Damn politician.
Everyone does that though. I've seen celebrities and other public figures do that as they exit the venue. It don't turn me off, knowing they've probably shaken like a hundred hands before that. I too would do that.