exploitation which is our main problem , we are struggling to maintain tribal supremacy , with the help of the same foreigners that created the problem in the first place .
In our small-minded way of thinking and inability to appreciate the big picture , Kenyans are fighting over scraps spread in their path by manipulative foreigners pushing their own agenda in the guise of supporting democracy .
That is why our president sees no irony in going to Europe to conclude bi-lateral trade treaties while the country is demonstrating and protesting the rising cost of living and the deteriorating quality of life . Is he stone deaf ?
The president has an option of branding Kenya as a democratic , tolerant and inclusive country but that cannot be achieved by a hard liner inflexible attitude where you state categorically that national dialogue is not on the agenda .
One can ’ t claim that they support a vibrant opposition in the country and immediately embark on buying opposition members . One cannot claim that Kenya will be an inclusive society and yet declare that Kenya is a limited company complete with a cabal of shareholders loyal to a certain coalition .
You cannot claim the country will observe the rule of law and proceed to break the law by ignoring the rulings of the same courts that you presented yourself to arbitrate the election dispute . Selective obedience is impunity .
You cannot claim to be a Christian and demonstrate outright vindictiveness , open revenge , an apportionment of blame and a lack of forgiveness . You cannot go to the house of the Lord to arrogantly spew venom and chest thump that true leadership has just began in Kenya .
As the father of the nation it is the duty of the president to put his house in order , totally aware that he is now the leader of all citizens including those that did not vote for him and desist from constantly reminding them of their defeat . Arrogance and pride cannot heal a nation on knees .
The president has an option of branding Kenya as a progressive country that builds on its strong past . To stand on a podium and claim that nothing good ever happened in Kenya in the past is to call Kenyans irresponsible and stupid .
That former leader was elected and in the Kenyan situation the current president was part of that former president ’ s victory and leadership across two full terms . It ’ s quite evident that there was a massive fallout but that should be a private matter between them and not a public drama .
It is said that politics is the art of the possible and that there are no permanent friends or foes . In that spirit it is wise to be very careful about one ’ s utterances , making sure they are sweet enough , just in case you have to be forced to swallow them tomorrow .
After all democracy is a system of representation and that person that you vilify and hull abuses at represents a constituency and that constituency has a right to be heard as rightfully enshrined in the constitution the president swears to uphold .
The president has the option of branding Kenya as a proud country on a mission to develop and be self-sufficient , one that can look after its citizenry and a country that has foresight to plan and meet all challenges that a country encounters as an entity .
A country that cannot feed itself is a shame and short-sighted , especially if that country is endowed with fertile lands and fair weather . It is heart-breaking to hear that any Kenyan is starving while there is plenty of food in the country .
During the campaign period different camps allegedly identified the ills that Kenya is facing and drew up a raft of solutions . Those solutions were presented to the public at elections and the group with a better plan was elected with a precise mandate to cure the ills .
Food security was at the top of that agenda but to continue harping about the provision of cheap fertilizer in a drought condition followed by flooding is to demonstrate a lack of flexibility required to adapt to changing realities .
How is it possible that Ukraine , a country in the middle of war , is exporting grain to Kenya , a country that is classified as an agricultural country . Could it be that Ukraine is aware that food security is a fundamental pillar in development ?
Note that for the country to rebrand the leader has to rebrand first . He is the vision carrier and the driver of the change . There is a management tenet which states that whatever strategies and tactics that got you where you are will not get you to where you are going .
Personal rebranding requires an all-round and honest feedback from peers , colleagues and family to correctly assess strengths and especially weaknesses . That way they are confronted with the truth about how everyone really thinks about them .
To get this feedback , which often is very uncomfortable , one has to learn to listen without prejudice and bias . The fact that someone does not share your viewpoint does not mean that they are wrong , malicious or enemies .
The worst mistake a leader can do is to surround himself with minions of yes-men who only tell him what he likes to hear . A leader with a fragile ego , who viciously attacks any dissenting opinion is soon isolated from reality and the citizenry by those who make it their job to keep him stress-free .
It is perhaps humbling to contemplate that being voted in by the majority of those who actually voted does not mean you were voted in by the majority of Kenyans . A leader still has to , with humility , persuasively win over those that voted against him and those that did not even bother to vote .
If the current president was allowed by his constitutional rights to crisscross the country campaigning as a sitting vicepresident way before the official campaign period was declared , why is it difficult for him to offer the same space to an actual competitor ?
While people are digging in their hardline stances , the world is observing and Kenya is being branded as a politically unstable country . This is unfortunate after recently being declared democratically mature for conducting peaceful elections .
Kenyans will soon complain when travel advisories are issued against Kenya and tourists and investors start to shy away . In such a scenario , it does not matter who is to blame , it is the country as a whole that bears the brunt .
To build a prosperous country requires a strong country brand that imbues confidence and trust to those who interact with the country . Kenya can be attractive with resolute and intentional leadership . Brand Kenya is not an accident but a deliberate choice !
The cover piece was pieced together by the Marketing Africa editorial crew . For feedback or any more discourse please drop us a line at : Info @ marketingafrica . co . ke .