Open Letter to Kenya's New President-Elect William Samoei Ruto
Dear President-Elect William Samoei Ruto,
Hello rafiki 😊
Welcome to the Not an Afterthought newsletter, where we lead the conversation on how to accelerate Africa’s socio-economic development AND use technology to drive economic growth that makes Africa not an afterthought.
Congratulations on your win.
You are now Kenya's fifth—the pillar upon which the future of Kenya rests for the next five to ten years.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, sir. May you have the fortitude to handle the weight—the weight of the expectations of the Kenyan people.
Kenyans are nothing if not particular. They will hold you to every word you uttered.
Your word to be the president of all without letting any Kenyan down.
Your word that you will undertake your responsibility with utmost honesty and run a transparent and democratic government.
Your word that you will build on what you and outgoing president Kenyatta set up together.
Your word that at a time when Kenyans are crying due to the high cost of living, unemployment, and lack of opportunities, you will set things to right.
Sir, you said it yourself; this election was unique in that Kenyans chose to elect leaders based on plans, issues and manifestos.
Your manifesto is now an inerasable document in the minds of wananchi. Kenyans will continually refer to your promise to:
Eradicate hunger
Bring down the cost of living
Create jobs
Expand the tax base
Improve the foreign exchange balance
Facilitate inclusive growth
These will be the six tenets upon which Kenyans will judge your presidency. Yes, you've broken them down further into an implementation framework.
It is an incredible framework, but how it will translate to the noted six promises is what will matter to Kenyans.
Sir, as a Kenyan in the tech industry who has benefited massively from Kenya's heavy investment in ICT infrastructure, it would be remiss not to mention the digital agenda enumerated in your manifesto.
While Kenya has made significant forward steps in ICT, Kenyans have yet to experience technology that can drive economic growth.
So far, technology has played a facilitative role; it has made it easier to register companies, pay taxes and access government services. In turn, ease of doing business has improved—Kenya was ranked 56/190 economies in the ease of doing business.
But Kenyans and especially Kenyans in tech are ready for the next level.
You noted in your manifesto that you would:
Establish a Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Policy to ensure a government approach to technological development and use.
Bring together industry, academic institutions and other investors to co-invest in emerging technologies to create high-quality jobs that leverage artificial intelligence, robotics and other technologies and thus enhance our regional and global competitiveness.
Kenyans wait with bated breath for that council to develop policies that will create an enabling environment that will allow technology to drive economic growth.
Congratulations again, sir.
The hope is that by the end of your term, every Kenyan—those who voted for you and those who did not—will declare that you served them all equally.
Opportunity Corner: Opportunity For Africans
The African Union is calling for applications focused on Innovating Education in Africa.
Successful applicants will receive up to $100,000 in grants. Submissions are now open and the deadline to make your application is 15th September. Please follow link to apply if you happen to be working on an innovation in the education sector.
https://www.edu-au.org/announcements-and-opportunities/call-for-submissions-2022
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is calling for applications. It is a program that aims to help young Africans build leadership skills for the betterment of their communities. Applications opened on 16th August and will close on 13th September. Visit link to apply.
https://www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org/
If this is your first time here, here are a couple of issues that you might have missed.
Frequently Asked Questions About The East African Community
Dissecting the East African Community’s Customs Union: How Has it Benefited EAC Citizens?
Building and succeeding in Africa: How Safaricom Did It
If you liked this article, please share.
I now know what the manifesto contains and will play my part as a Kenyan to hold president-elect government accountable