We must remain focused amid ICC, 2012 rumpus
Sep. 2 | Even as Kenyans begin to get preoccupied with proceedings at the International Criminal Court and 2012 succession politics, it is imperative that we remain focused on what is important to us as a developing nation. If you speak to the ordinary person, they are concerned about the escalating fuel and power costs which in turn affect the price of virtually all consumable goods. Simply put; life is tough and getting even tougher under these conditions. I sense some sort of apathy to politics because the majority of people have discovered that, in accordance with the Pareto Principle aka the law of the vital few, most political decisions (80pc) only impact the lives of a few (20pc) positively. The majority of Kenyans continue to struggle to survive in the murky waters of meeting their basic needs. I am of the opinion that as a country, we...
Investment requires a credible government
Aug. 5 | Anyone who has considered venturing out into a new business line, new market segment or a new partnership will tell you it is an arduous decision. To be successful, one must take into consideration many factors including the micro, macro, external and internal environments. It is a process that requires one to conduct due diligence on the potential partner, the business and regulatory environments among others. When all is said and done and assuming you have taken all the measures recommended by the most reputable business schools, when it is crunch time… you must make the decision to advance or to cut your losses. For me, that final decision is often based on a ‘gut feeling’. I must believe that my potential partner is a credible one. Perhaps believe that there exists a viable business opportunity whose benefits far outweigh the...
We are watching you, dear MPs
Jul. 7 | I think I speak for the majority of Kenyans when I say we are tired of the debate on whether MPs should pay taxes or not. To us, the payment thereof is a non-issue and from our understanding of the Constitution of Kenya, which is the true and final stand on all legislative matters, no one individual is to be exempt from the payment of taxes. In fact, because we understand that this requirement could have caught many of our Honourable MPs by surprise, what we should be discussing are the payment terms. This is the most indulgence that we are willing to ask the Kenya Revenue Authority to accord them. In reality, one of the prime mandates for our MPs is to determine how government revenue, inclusive of taxes, is collected and utilised. It is therefore unacceptable that they should want to forsake that particular obligation because it doesn’t...
Open letter to Members of Parliament
Jun. 23 | I thought I would address this letter directly to you seeing as the matter at hand pinches your financial feet. You are my appointed Member of Parliament and I am your Wanjiku. I chose you to represent me in Parliament partly because I had faith in you; because I believed to some degree in your ability to bring development; and perhaps because, in the same way that a leopard doesn’t change its stripes, I knew exactly what to expect from you. Since you are the shoe wearer, it is clear that only you would know where paying taxes would pinch most. This is why this letter comes to you. I know that when the referendum was around the corner, you threw outbursts and refused to support the Constitution until your interests in that area were taken into consideration. Well, you should have known better; a gentleman’s agreement is an almost...
Startling tale of unspent funds in Kenya
May. 26 | When it comes to utilising our budgetary allocations, I would say that as a country we have what a famous CEO referred to as ‘peculiar habits’. Our actions or lack thereof, seem to defy logic and the natural order of demand generating leads and avenues of supply. It saddens me that on the one extreme we have great need everywhere around us. In fact, there is no use in naming specific sectors because virtually each one of them could use a much needed financial boost. On the other extreme, we have this great vision of what we would want to achieve by the year 2030. Yet, we can’t seem to marry the two and create a bridge from one end to the other utilising every available resource along the way. How do we account for the fact that the unspent funds could actually make up 30percent of the total development budget? Couldn’t...
Lessons for employers and employees
May. 19 | As a Kenyan and regional employer, I must admit that one of the biggest challenges we face today is employee retention. The truth is this; a business cannot amount to much nor achieve much without excellent human capital. So, how do we keep our people engaged? How do we retain them in the face of thriving competition that threatens to poach your very best? Back in my day, we were adequately persuaded with financial incentives. You either got a hefty salary increment, or a sizable commission. The larger the financial increment, the more likely the company was to retain the high performers. However, in a work era where employees aspire to more than just financial satisfaction, it is no longer enough nor acceptable to conduct business in such a manner. Not unless you want to fail. As a result, you will notice that most progressive companies...
You must rise above mediocrity
Mar. 24 | One of the most common questions that I get from young people is, “How do you manage to keep up with all your responsibilities? How are you able to stay on top of everything?” This week’s blog is not about the whys; for they come with varying responses and in my mind, every person must figure out their formula for success. It is about the why nots? There’s a proverb that says that the ‘one who walks in another’s tracks, leaves no footprints of his own.’ Therein lies my drive and my challenge to you. Are your footprints visible? Why not? Why shouldn’t you be the one in your family that excels the most? Why shouldn’t you be the one that stands out in the work place? Why shouldn’t you be the one that is able to define your path and follow your dreams? If anything and I hardly talk...
