Comments on: Development lessons from tiny Rwanda

By: Sunny Bindra

Sunny Bindra — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:24:26 +0000

Kirwa:

Julius Kipng’etich is in my ‘Fast Forward’ leadership programme (details are available on this website). We are all trying to deepen our wisdom in leadership, one leader at a time…

By: Kirwa Maritim

Kirwa Maritim — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:55:58 +0000

Sunny, I ‘stumbly’ discovered you through an article on Dr. Julius Kipngetich, current KWS CEO. I am Kenyan studying “Organizational Leadership” in the US. I am excited to read your prophetic articles on leadership and management. Kenya is sick to the core in its leadership from politicians to clergy to organizational leaders. Rwanda, a failed state a few years ago is now the darling of the region, while Kenyans are flocking there on fact finding missions. Also TZ and Ghana are stealing the show- even Egypt and Libya is now attracting the attention of the President Obama. Kenyans have lost the big ‘lottery’ to Ghana as Obama chose to put a spotlight on African states with progressive leadership. I think we need to revisit the basics of public service and servant leadership. I wonder what leadership model can be prescribed for Kenya?

By: Sunny Bindra

Sunny Bindra — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:54:16 +0000

The Chairman and CEO of a leading Kenyan company had an appointment with President Kagame recently, at 10.00 am. They received an SMS at 9.00 am informing them that the President was delayed in a previous function, and would be 30 mins late. At 10.30 sharp, Kagame walked in, full of apologies.

That is a true story. Kenyans, read it and weep.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:01:41 +0000

Rwanda is a Phoenix rising from the ashes. And the reason is the resurrector Kagame, who calleth Rwanda from the grave, despite having been there for some time and stinging. It hearken to his call and was able to step out. Kagame ordered something to drink for Rwanda. It galloped and dusted itself and pick up the steps of life. Can Kenya do the same?. But do we need to die first before we experience the great transformation?

By: Chris Akatsa

Chris Akatsa — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:09:52 +0000

Sunny great comment,my take is that we can achieve what Rwanda is doing and even go beyond.
But for one,we need to realize that ,practically change begins with us.
You have mentioned very basic issues that touch on individual lives,personal hygiene and sanitation in our own homes!This is so basic but do we observe them at all?It starts with each one of us,building on the examples and growing them into other areas of our lives such as our social and professional lives.
Once it becomes usual it has a two way effect,it catches on and becomes a way of life,Sunny it can be done!

But Sunny how many times do you see a Kenyan spitting ,throwing away litter urinating and throwing garbage out of the car as they drive?Hey, it is us .We cannot wait till our leaders change ,i think it takes Sunny to make changes to his immediate surroundings.
But am optimistic we as a people can prevail and change the face of this nation ,we do not need our leaders ,because they have proved to be failures now and in the past.
Kenyans can prevail ,but not until they personally change.

By: mlevi

mlevi — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:35:51 +0000

I am of the opinion that Kenyans say they want the kind of government highlighted in the article but they really don’t. Everything they do and aspire for in counter to the image they project. Kenya is a country full of harlots that play church lady in the morning. Our true interest are manifested in our true behavior.

By: MORIS

MORIS — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:38:27 +0000

Reading many comments from ordinary Kenyans, one notes that Kenyans genuinely aspire to have servant leaders to guide them and manage resources on their behalf! But whatever happens during elections time, one wonders! No sooner are the elections over than we realise we have dictators as our leaders and start lamenting. If we were to conduct elections today, many current MPs would not see parliament but only to replace with other group of a similar breed! Our strength though is that we do realise we have made mistakes but how we correct the same, needs intervention, anyone with some suggestions?

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:26:34 +0000

This is a very insightful artilcle, Good work Sunny. What Africa need is visionary leader and its good we have one in president Kagame. Kenyans love competition (going by how we buy fuel guzzles to “beat” our neighbours or collegues).
I hope we shall start striving to “beat” (for lack of a better word), Rwandas exemplary leadership.

By: Constant

Constant — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:15:46 +0000

It all starts from the top.
However, does a country have to go through what Rwanda went through to realize the importance of peace, harmony and development? No, those at the top have to (and we are all at the top of what we do). We must work on priorities with a vision of the long term, not like vampires, ready to suck the vitality of a nation for our own gain.

By: John

John — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:32:24 +0000

Yes Sunny, this was a good article, and yes, just one more point i noted ought to have been included in your article is about ‘muganda’ where the country takes cleaning the city very seriously few hours of every last saturday of the month,no movement of cars or bikes, business closed just to clean the city including his excellency , my hero President Paul Kagame,can this happen in Nairobi?