Let’s take Obama lessons to heart

There are a lot of positives to take from US President Barack Obama’s trip to Kenya and Ethiopia, this past weekend. Besides the feel-good factor among Kenyans seeing that ‘their son’ became the first sitting American President to visit here, his message of hope resonates with millions of us.

Hope of a better tomorrow should unite all Kenyans and spark positive attitude and focus on our strengths. We should discard anything that divides us be it tribal politics, corruption, lethargy, disrespect of the law and take charge of our destiny.

Whining or being resigned to our current status economically, socially and even politically, should now be history.

That the son of a Kenyan student rose through the rumble and tumble of American politics, to become the first black President in the US, should inspire all of us. His campaign slogan, ‘Yes We Can’ should always ring in our minds as we confront our individual and national challenges.

From his message, President Obama said Africa and indeed Kenya is on the move towards the right direction. He noted progress, saying in the last decade Kenya has closed the growth gap between her and South Korea by nearly a half. And with the progressive 2010 Constitution, Kenya is on the edge of a positive dawn. The devolution model has ensured formerly marginalised and remote areas are now receiving a piece of the national cake. After three years of a devolved governance, something good is happening across the 47 counties.

After the Obama visit, Kenya should now capitalise on the confidence boost to lure foreign investors and tourists. This is the time to showcase our talents and innovations, which venture capitalists can tap on. In turn, when these wealthy individuals invest here, the nightmare of youth unemployment will be gradually resolved. But the Government must step up security and nip in the bud any planned terror attacks. Terrorism has hit our economic growth and attractiveness to foreign investors. Corruption must also be uprooted in public and private sectors to ensure wholesome growth. And as President Obama said, Kenya should constantly help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This could be done through easing cost of doing business and supporting business start-ups, especially among the youth.

The 6th Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which brought President Obama here, was indeed meant to link up talented business people with global leaders in finance and industry. Those who made contacts with the visiting business and technology moguls should make follow-ups and seek to implement their ideas.
On leadership, President Obama acknowledged that politics should not always be confrontational or used to sow seeds of hatred. We can compete politically, but always put Kenya’s interests at heart and invest in a better future. Politics based on tribe, he rightly said is a failure of imagination. We should therefore elect our leaders on their personal capability and not their last names.

Finally, with a youthful and highly educated majority, Kenya should rise and claim her slot among progressive nations. We should all rise up and be on the right side of history.

The writer is Navakholo Member of Parliament