Your Excellency, there are a number of mistakes committed by new Presidents world over and I feel am bound by loyalty to share them with you.
Don’t drive without a road map: It is good to brim yourself with ideas about how government should operate, but of more importance is to be clear about what policies you should pursue. If this doesn’t happen, issues will emerge. Don’t let the country's expectations to be too high, set priorities and concentrate on them.
Don’t dawdle: any leadership is measured according to the standards established in the first 100 days. Don’t wait any longer than this to send your domestic plans to Parliament – you will achieve less if you take more than 100 to fulfill the promises you made. You might feel that the country is divided down the middle and that you first have to unite Kenyans. This might make you move cautiously on moral issues like civil rights.
The truth is, Kenya is not divided down the middle – this is a creation of the media. Just act boldly and swiftly. Decisions that step on toes must be made.
Don’t lose touch with the world outside Nairobi: Mr President, get a close confidant and friend in the Senate eor National Assembly to roam the countryside and chat with the ordinary folk on your behalf. This person should report back to you with the real problems and feelings of the people. It wont be easy to keep contact with your many friends now that you are in State House, but try to keep in touch with as many of them as possible. You require that straight talk from the grassroots.
Don’t give in to the bureaucrats: This is a very tricky ground. Try to rally bureaucrats with strong leadership and you will find liberals and conservatives. But of most importance is to recognise that such people can rally allies to frustrate your policies. However, the moment the bureaucrats realise you are decisive and assertive, they will follow the straight and narrow.
Don’t be bullied by the press: the media have their own agenda. Avoid frequent nationally televised press conferences which the is the media's platform to perform. This will also take you away from other duties. It’s your duty to decide on how to stage the news then the press will decide on how to cover.
Don’t be afraid that your plans will be leaked out to the public through the media prematurely: Most of such leakages are politically motivated while some are trial balloons testing public reaction to potential new policies. Some arise out of fighting among government officials as was the norm in the last regime. While leaks are annoying, they are harmless.
Don’t underestimate the trouble family and friends can cause you: the Watergate scandal in the United States was the creation of President Nixon's friend John Mitchell. Nixon blundered in appointing Mitchell the Attorney General. Appointing your old friends to positions of authority is risky because it’s hard to sack them when they flop.
Don’t forget that you are the boss: Kibaki gave his Cabinet members substantial decision making power. This should never happen again. Cabinet members should run their ministries and make small policy changes. Decisions on major shifts in policies are yours to make. And here again, don’t be overly indulgent with your staff and aides - they should not play President, because they are not.
These said, may you have an inspiring presidency. Thank you.
S.M. Njoroge
National Youth Movement
Eastern Province Representative
Email:sncountry@gmail.com
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