Learn how to wield power for the greater good

One of the most glaring tragedies of the Kenyan condition is that there are a lot of individuals and institutions with raw power, but limited abilities to exercise the same. As a people, we spend so much time chasing power for its own sake, but little time learning how to harness and wield the same for the greater good. Imagine if, instead of wasting our talents on corruption, stealing elections, organising merely expressive demonstrations, or arguing on TV talk shows, we actually spent time learning how to use our institutions and the powers they provide to improve living conditions for our people.

As with the rotting of fish, this problem starts at the top. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his opposite number in the opposition Raila Odinga both have immense powers, the former constitutional the latter popular. If well utilised, these powers can be deployed creatively to improve human welfare across Kenya. Kenyatta has the bully pulpit, from which he can set the national agenda and create targeted incentives for all Kenyans to dedicate time and effort to causes greater than merely getting by. Similarly, Raila’s power over the hearts and minds of millions can inspire the kinds of collective sacrifices that have historically lifted countries out of poverty.

I say this not to target these two men, but rather to highlight the need to reorient, as a people, the way we view power. Collectively, we see power as an end in itself. But our leaders see it differently, power to them is for personal enrichment and control over the masses. Not for empowerment or inspiration, but for mass control. This distinction is small but important. Power as a means of control dulls the mind. It keeps the masses hanging on every word that comes from the leader.

Power as inspiration is different. Instead of seeking unthinking adoration, it creates opportunities for ideas to bloom. It is confident, and robust to criticism and change. It seeks to bring out the best in people, calming fears and inspiring people to continuously seek to improve their lives. It prizes organisation and beneficial collective action across ethnicity, religion, and class, and makes it possible for society to be bigger than the sum of its parts.

It goes without saying that successful societies are those that continuous produce leaders who wield power as inspiration. My use of the word “produce” is not by accident. Very few people are born leaders. Most leaders are created, shaped by deliberate training and life’s circumstances. As a people, we need to spend more time teaching ourselves how to wield power, and not just how to capture it. Only then will we be able to unleash our collective potential for the greater good. To illustrate my point, consider the National Assembly. Article 95 of the Constitution grants the institution immense powers. Yet, the National Assembly functions as a lap dog to the executive branch. For example, the Majority Leader, Aden Duale, does not have his own legislative agenda but relies almost exclusively on bills emanating from the Cabinet.

Why is this so? The simple answer is because the leadership of the National Assembly lacks the skills to wield their institutional power. This is, in no small part, because their leaders at Harambee House (and Annex) do not inspire them, but rather demand nothing short of unthinking adoration.