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Rwanda's President Paul Kagame congratulates President William Ruto after being elected as the new EAC Chairperson during the 24th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State in Arusha.[PCS]
Paul Kagame of Rwanda is known for bold expression of his political sentiments, and he has no qualms. Had 20th-century playwright Robert Bolt been alive today, he would describe Mr Kagame as a man of conscience, who’s true to himself and his beliefs.
The Rwandan leader last week tore into an unnamed African president, describing him as an embodiment of mediocrity, and a shame. Indeed, many of the continent’s leaders are just that!
Mr Kagame said: “I know leaders when I see them. I also know idiots. You can imagine the combination. If you’re a leader and an idiot, it’s a disaster. An absolute disaster… It’s worse if the same people who hold power decide to be manipulated by idiots.” Listening to the Rwandan president’s searing speech last week, I weighed up the true essence of leadership in the 21st century. What makes good leaders, really? While opinions may vary, two fundamental leadership attributes are selflessness and patriotism.
Patriotism, however, isn’t blind loyalty to leaders or godfathers like it used to happen before the multiparty era. It has to involve toiling and sacrificing everything else to make one’s country great. It’s about taking responsibility for the collective future of citizens in ways that transcend petty party interests.
Patriotic citizens can demonstrate their love and commitment to their country in many ways, including serving in state offices. Regrettably, however, a dangerous trend has emerged where Kenyans of repute are rejecting state jobs – parastatal and diplomatic postings – for political expediency. The latest ‘no thank you’ came from ex-MP Timothy Bosire last week, and the list is swelling. A posting to Accra was rejected twice.
Some appointees have cited reasons such as “I have consulted widely,” “I have listened to the ground,” or simply “It’s personal.” In the court of public opinion, the eminent Kenyans have disappointed President William Ruto, the appointing authority, since their reasons don’t seem convincing at all – not about health, suitability or family. In fact, we’re all left embarrassed.
For the record, it’s everyone’s right to turn down a job offer. Their decision must be respected. Nevertheless, let’s remind ourselves that state jobs are about service to one’s country, and not necessarily the president or the ruling party. You don’t need to be an ally of the president to serve your motherland. A state job is an honour, and you don’t throw away the baby with bath waters.
We’ve seen examples of former leaders returning to high-profile roles if their expertise is deemed valuable. For instance, former British premier David Cameron returned to serve as the UK Foreign Secretary in 2023. He didn’t see the appointment as demeaning. Many countries have most patriotic, even jingoistic, citizens. Truth be told, declining a state job for populism sake is a dangerous goof. The problem is we engage in politics incessantly. It saturates every aspect of our lives such that when jobs are distributed, what comes to mind is that it’s tokenism and reward to cronies or maybe, an election gimmick. This isn’t to say everything is right with our appointments structure.
What should matter more is if the public disapproved these appointments. Public reservations can arise when citizens think a nominee’s selection doesn’t align with their values, or perceptions of integrity. In some jurisdictions, public vote is taken to approve an appointment. In our system, MPs vet nominees, who must also comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Admittedly, a big lesson from recent job rejection spree is the importance of consulting potential appointees beforehand. It’s also important to prioritise merit. By the time of appointment, all matters should be aligned to avoid embarrassment. This year, let’s rethink our value system by prioritising Kenya’s common good over personal interests and ethnic considerations. What does it mean to be Kenyan, and do we recall the loyalty pledge? Let’s fully commit to the betterment of our beloved country.
The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo
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The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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