President Uhuru Kenyatta’s admission that his government has had its failures in fulfilling some of its obligations to Kenyans during the Small and Medium Enterprises Conference 2018 in Nairobi was a bold move that needs applause rather than condemnation.
When he rose to give his speech, Kenyatta trashed his written speech saying, “I'm embarrassed to stand here in front of you people to be reminded of what we should have done many years ago."That is what a good leader does; admit to a mistake and fixes it.
This month alone, Uhuru has come out as the ‘Real Uhuru’, the guy who traversed the country asking for our votes and charming his way into our hearts. Everywhere the UhuRuto caravan went; masses were moved by Uhuru’s charisma, which was epitomized by his prayer at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Listening to Uhuru’s speech during the conference on Tuesday, one would see the traits of a responsible father -- honest, concerned and caring.
His call for the reduction of electricity tariffs to enable SMEs make meaningful profits illustrates traits of a caring parent.
During the emotive debate on 8% VAT on fuel increment, Uhuru was in his element once again. Despite rallying Jubilee protégées into supporting the Bill, he reached out to his brother or partner in this 'marriage of convenience' Raila Odinga for support. He didn't disappoint either!
When domestic violence, chaos and mistrust rock a marriage, children are the biggest casualties. However, being a good leader, once again, Uhuru realised that the family needed to be fixed.
That is how leaders in countries like USA, Botswana, Singapore e.t.c struggle to do for their citizens; running their countries like a family unit.
Unfortunately, in our case, especially in ministries and counties, the parents want to eat all the dinner by themselves and even hoard for years to come.
The problem is that some children in this context cheer the hoarding – corruption, hoping they will be allowed to have a bite.
Being the good parents they are; Uhuru and Raila should protect the young, weak, sick and elderly in the family from the greedy, strong and older siblings – Tangatanga, from eating and hoarding everything that comes their way.
Parents struggle to educate and make the family members competitive. That’s what distinguishes a good functional family from a failed or collapsing one.
Every member of the family should play their role in the realisation of the Big 4 agenda.
In 'greek' we say, ‘Ingithua ndongoria, citikinyagira nyeki’ (if the lead sheep is limping, the rest of the herd cannot reach the grazing fields). Uhuru knows as much.
He must ensure his herd has reached the grazing fields and the watering point.
Mwangi X Muthiora is a political commentator, a blogger and a poet.