Opinion: Correcting past mistakes must start with having right people in Cabinet

Let us see who will now agree to be in the next Cabinet,” a friend of mine said as we chatted about President William Ruto’s dissolution of the Cabinet last week.

My friend visited me at my office and we had an interesting discussion about the going-ons in the country, including who is likely to make it to the next Cabinet.

The countrywide protests sparked by the Finance Bill 2024 and poor governance have changed how things will be done in the country. And the direction things are taking is impressive. It has become clear that to get into a leadership position, you must be indeed a “leader”, and not just a political sycophant like we had in the dissolved Cabinet.

So, who will agree to join the Cabinet, knowing that once they appear before the National Assembly for vetting, Kenyans, mostly the Gen Zs, will have done a proper background check on them, including where they last spent their holiday.

It is that serious and I am happy the pressure is now leading us to not have just any person as a Cabinet Secretary; it has to be someone who is experienced and understands his docket.

Responsible leadership is about setting a standard of accountability and integrity that permeates every level of an organisation or government. As we contemplate the hiring of the next CSs, we have a profound opportunity to redefine what it means to hold leadership positions.

The high standards Kenyans have set for leaders and government officials signal citizens’ dedication to learning from the past and improving the future. Leaders must lead by example. They should embody the values of transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct.

When individuals entrusted with significant responsibilities demonstrate these qualities consistently, they inspire trust and confidence among their peers and the public. This trust is the bedrock upon which effective governance is built.

A competent Cabinet should be forward-thinking, adaptive to change, and capable of navigating complex issues with pragmatism and foresight. We need to prioritise accountability, integrity, forward-thinking, and inclusivity to correct past mistakes, inspire confidence, and foster progress.

This approach will not only benefit our governance today but will also lay a solid foundation for a more resilient and effective leadership in the future.

A diverse Cabinet brings a range of perspectives and experiences to the decision-making process, enriching the quality of policies and initiatives. Inclusivity ensures that all voices are heard and considered, fostering a more equitable and representative government.

Once we set the standard for the hiring of the next Cabinet, we will be able to correct the mistakes we made previously. We will be able to also correct the mistake of getting “clowns” into the next Parliament.

MPs should be the next target for replacement. It is in Parliament where some of our problems start. Once we clear the mess in Parliament, we can now rest and watch how the next lot performs.

We should never get tired of doing the correct thing. Electing the right people to different positions is where it should all start. And by the way, we have some work to do with our parents in the village.

We should not allow them to decide for us, but help them make the right decision. Responsible leadership depends on each one of us.