Vietnam gas president blasts Kenya, Africa for lack of vision, poor execution

Vietnam Gas President Doanh Chau has taken a swipe at African leadership, accusing them of lacking long-term vision and a serious execution culture that continues to stall the continent’s development.

Speaking after meetings with President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in Nairobi, Chau painted a grim picture of Kenya’s investment climate despite the government’s ambitious rhetoric around infrastructure and economic transformation.

“I met with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and President William Ruto in Nairobi. They spoke with energy about Kenya’s future—investment, infrastructure, public housing,” he wrote.

“But behind the polished language was a painful truth: there is no serious execution culture.”

Chau argued that the problem in Kenya and much of Africa was not a lack of money or talent but a system deeply entrenched in short-term political performances rather than sustainable development.

“Leaders talk big, but systems don’t move. They wait for outsiders to bring business, rather than build an environment for it,” he said.

He used the electricity supply as a key indicator to draw comparisons between Kenya and his home country, Vietnam.

“Vietnam: 100 million people, over 70 GW of power. Kenya: 50 million people, only 4 GW. This is not a side issue, it’s the foundation of economic development. No investor will build a factory where the lights flicker every day,” he said.

Chau was especially critical of Kenya’s infrastructure priorities, citing the Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway as a flashy but disconnected investment.

“The government built a fancy expressway from Nairobi to Mombasa, without an export industry to support it. Meanwhile, millions live in slums and huts, with no access to reliable utilities,” he added.

He also pointed to Kenya’s underwhelming tourism experience as another missed opportunity.

“Safari bookings require 90-minute check-ins at park gates, even with reservations. After 9 pm, everything closes. There’s nothing for visitors to experience or spend on beyond a Masai market that’s essentially a souvenir stand,” Chau said.

On housing, Chau noted that President Ruto’s plans for public housing were unlikely to attract serious investors due to “petty corruption and legal instability.”

“There are no credible incentives, no serious risk guarantees. In short, no real initiative to make it happen,” he said.

He contrasted this with Asia’s approach, where leaders are more focused on delivery than display.

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“Leaders are up at 5 am working on execution, not speeches. Power supply is constant. Policies are consistent and data-driven. Incentives align with performance,” he said.

For Chau, the real barrier to Africa’s growth is not external, it’s mental. “Africa doesn’t lack potential, it lacks a mindset shift. Leadership must stop performing for the next donor visit or summit. It must build systems that attract local and global investment, reward builders, and guarantee follow-through.”

Chau appealed to grassroots leaders to take initiative in solving energy problems, promising support for solar-based microgrids.

“If you’re ready to take the first step toward a solar energy project rooted in your local realities, I promise I will be there with you,” he said.

“I will bring solar panels and energy storage systems to help build microgrids—small, self-sufficient sources of power that don’t depend on distant, complicated government programs.”

He added, “Let’s work together and show what’s possible when compassion, commitment and community lead the way.”