Critical Lessons From The Cabinet Retreat In Nanyuki

The timing of the retreat coming after the 100 days mark is quite perfect as it affords the government time to take stock of the good and the bad thus far, whilst reflecting ahead. Strictly speaking, it is the president and his deputy who had been in office during the 100 days, for the rest came to office later owing to the time taken in nominations and vetting.

The choice of location is excellent as it is far enough from home to enable participants to put all else on hold for a greater engagement experience.

The tone set by the president mirrors that of private-sector entities—as every participant is individually competent enough to deliver without a retinue. The decision to have everyone cater for the expenses of auxiliary staffers from their own pockets rests well with hustlers who've times beyond number witnessed the unnecessary display of power through showy aids.

The president wants a demonstrated show of mental power and how that benefits the citizens, after all, he appointed individuals and not crew-dependent officers. The brain at work must be housed in the body that was sworn to office.

The reported turning away of latecomers is corporate sector behaviour. Kenya is now officially a time-sensitive entity. If one has the guts to turn up late before the head of state, just imagine how this plays out at meetings with wananchi. It had to be nipped in the bud. Time concept contrarians are in for a surprise when the practice trickles down to the service floors at the ministries and agencies.

The president's comment that expeditious delivery in decision-making and execution in government in order not to hold expectant Kenyans to ransom, is most welcome.

Product development experts know too well that a product or service is a justified reason to enable a financial transaction. In government service points, the flow of sought services is induced by unreceipted payments to government-remunerated staff, over and above official payments.

These illegal taxes and levies added on to official taxes make Kenyans a heavily taxed lot of beings on planet earth—perhaps Elon Musk should announce fairer rates for interplanetary travel soon. All early offers just might be snapped up by Kenyans determined to escape illegal taxation. We want to pay taxes but not bribes. The illegal products imposed on us by civil servants turned civil masters must be done away with like yesterday. We hope the Nanyuki fire flames its way to the functional spaces of government. Kenyans are ready for hot servings.

For those who've never attended a corporate-style retreat, it is important to note that beyond the niceties, plenty of heavy lifting happens behind closed doors. It is not a time of celebration and merry-making, for that happened at Christmas. Mature men, when wrongfooted by unexpected demands, break a sweat much like kids in trouble before a parent or teacher. The H.E. William Ruto governance class 101 just took place and the next real milestone should be the stock-taking at WSR 211, one year down the road.

This retreat for what it is worth has set the tone in culture and deliverables in a manner very divergent from the usual government largesse and chest-thumping antics, or should I add the wasteful swim in antiquities?

Nanyuki is a break from the usual Mombasa-Naivasha heavy allowances axis. It is also the place that has brought the consumers of our taxes close, if not at par with the kind of effort corporate and individual taxpayers expend when planning ahead. If government matches the private sector work ethic, then Kenya will attain first-world status within one generation. Photos of the senior most members of the executive leaving the meetings late in the night or after sunset are very encouraging and ought to be the norm rather than the exception if we must catch up with the pacesetters.

For the civil servant watching the retreat from a distance, just remember the Swahili saying: Ukiona cha mwenzako chanyolewa, chako tia maji. You have nowhere else to run to because hustlers are aligned to the new thinking. I hope you are now one with the lesson that literally, all the spendables—in time, money, and energy, must be accounted for fully.

The office is not a place to hang the coat when away from home, but a place to go to and deliver for Kenyans. To whom much is given, much is expected. Everyone must earn their keep. Wacheni kutuchapa dafrao.