Being a leader in the public domain in Kenya today is no longer something most young people would aspire for, not for those without a daring spirit. Leadership in any society is the hallmark of self actualization, however, in Kenya; it is increasingly becoming a traumatic experience for many of our great leaders. This perhaps explains why many suffer illnesses traditionally associated with advancing age rather at much younger ages.
The Kenyan, by extension is to blame for this wanting state of affairs. First and foremost, we have made premium of becoming a leader to high that one has to spend entire fortunes to get into elective positions and thereafter contend with those lining for handouts, rewards and positions, the ones who believe they made the leader and have to be rewarded.
In contrast, it only takes brains and good schooling to land well paying jobs as CEO of respectable organizations and companies in private sector without the hassle and bustle of those who wait for rewards once you get into office.
Instead of the Kenya stake holding and owning leadership, we strive to own the leader. Instead of owning the political office, we strive to own an individual or personality to an extent we alienated such a leader from other potential constituencies that would wish to indulge him in his leadership skills for the good of society. Being tribally heterogeneous, this is what heightens of tribalism notches higher than it ought to be.
If Kenyans learnt to own political offices irrespective of who holds them, we would not hear the kind of laments about “our man is being finished, it is our time to eat, and we need our son in the big house” and such diatribes which add no value to those “perceived stake holders.”
It would thus not mean anything for the Kikuyu to own Kibaki as any Kenyan owns and is a stake holder to the office of the President, the Luo would not need to own Raila Amolo as all Kenyans together would own is the Premiership. Kambas would not need to own Kalonzo Musyoka as what we all collectively own is the Vice Presidency. All these positions the office bearer would be holding for Kenyans in trust.
As long as our leaders are not helped to separate from the yoke of cronyism, tokenism, tribalism, hangers on, handlers, die hard supporters so that Kenyans begin holding stake in the office rather than the occupier, we are still far from institutional leadership and our top leaders will continue being hostages as they currently are.
The blacks of America never owned Barrack Obama during his campaign and he definitely did not give room to hangers on and diehards to come on board, it was not about “it is our man or our time as blacks”, it was a time for all Americans.
Had he done that, he would have lost elections badly. He crafted a message that resonated with the American people, the message of stake holding and owning the leadership, not the man, the reason his slogan was, YES WE CAN!!!
Otieno Sungu.
Juba-Southern Sudan.