Ruto must start crafting his legacy while he has goodwill

President William Ruto. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The just concluded FIFA World Cup had some interesting matches, including the final one between France and Argentina.

Moreover, there is something about African teams, which I have over the years observed since I watched the first world cup match in year 1990 played in Italy between England and the then surprisingly riding well Cameroon. Cameroon lost and I want to use this loss as a pointer with regard to building a legacy especially for a president in countries like Kenya.

Let me mention that I would want to see President William Samoei Ruto building a memorable legacy. African soccer teams have been improving over the years, but they keep repeating same old mistakes that see them exit  tournament quite early. They hardly seem to learn and build from lessons gained during past tournaments even though they assemble top players from several high-level leagues in the world. There is always fingers pointed at their football federations in terms of poor management and lack of proper development of the youth to gain relevant skills and exposure.

Morocco, a surprise semi-finalist in last year’s tournament, is said have done serious soul-searching and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch is said to have particularly paid attention to the team’s development. This timely input helped them a lot. The reasons why we have many high profile succession cases in Kenyan courts, especially for the wealthy or powerful, is lack of planning for the inevitable future.

If I look back at all past presidents in Kenya there are discernable moments when they could have done better had they seized the moment. For Ruto the opportune time is now.

Despite the many challenges, especially of economic nature, facing the country there is no better time than now to start laying the appropriate foundations and implement big and also revolutionary projects. The reason is simple, politics is dynamic and times change and a lot can change without one even noticing especially if you are at the top. Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta did not envisage that his government would deal with the crisis of Covid-19 that devastated the economy.

Nor did his government envisage the Russia and Ukraine conflict that has hit the world economies including Kenya  hard. It did not also foresee the kind of rebellion that Uhuru faced in his Mt Kenya backyard and former stronghold at the tail end of his presidency. So not though foreseeing or predicting similar crisis, political competition and so many individuals competing for top seat will inevitably cause a lot of challenges for President Ruto.

Reforming and improving the economy will also not be easy at all. Moreover, the highly expectant public on economic front will remain restless throughout expecting a lot of changes to happen and better tidings for their lives. The public want to see rapid economic results.

The second term, assuming Ruto wins, will also be erratic with politicians positioning themselves for change of guard. From economy to politics there will be no easy moments. So the best time to plot for legacy is now. For Ruto he can’t afford his time in office to be painted with some of the negatives past regimes have been accused of. He promised that his presidency will be the best ever so far. The first part to start with is with the economy. There is too much to do.

We need a highly industrialised nation by whatever means. We need to be a highly exporting nation, we need all the sectors to be highly productive and rewarding and we have to do away with the menace of unemployment, underemployment and poverty. Achievable in the short span of 10 (ten) years or even five years? Yes. There is a lot that can be done in that duration. So it has to start now. There are so many quick wins that can be implemented.

A good team leader has to take charge while inspiring hope from the front. Everyone in the team has to be  energized and focused. Lionel Messi the Argentina soccer captain who I have admired over the years helped carry Argentina team along.

In the recent world cup Argentina which looked to wobble at the beginning even losing their opening match against Saudi Arabia was inspired to go all the way and win the finals by the tiny but highly talented footballer Lionel Messi. That is the position Ruto is in.

There is a lot in store for him This may include tweaking the Constitution a bit not to remove the two five year terms presidential term limits, but to make changes that guarantee more stability for the nation politically and economically.

I’m more for hybrid that keeps the system presidential, but also create some positions such as Leader of Opposition and to sort out the very helpful Constituency Development Fund which has been a game changer at the grassroots.

-The writer is a political and social analyst