As a leadership coach, I often ask my mentees to name a person they consider a leader. Unsurprisingly, most mention their favorite politicians. While these individuals hold leadership positions, many don’t qualify as true leaders because they lack vision. Their main goal is to get elected and stay in office as long as possible.
However, one Kenyan politician stands out for his passion and dedication to transforming the lives of Kenyans – the late President Mwai Kibaki. Gen Z on my timeline affectionately call him Big Daddy Baks.
Elected in 2002, Kibaki wasted no time implementing his vision for a more empowered Kenyan society, starting with free primary education. It’s important to note that this was not the first attempt at free primary education. The program was initially introduced in 1978, but a lack of state support forced public school administrators to introduce numerous non-tuition fees to ensure smooth operation.
When Kibaki took office, the budgetary allocation for the education sector was significantly increased to bring the government’s vision to life. Kibaki’s passion for reforming the education sector stemmed from his own experience of witnessing the transformative power of education. Because he had the chance to attend school, he lifted himself out of poverty and became a successful economist and leader, rising from a humble background to the highest office in the land.
This personal connection to the value of education fueled his vision to ensure every Kenyan child had access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic status. Fortunately, as president, he had the power and influence to make it happen.
Kibaki’s drive to transform the education sector did not end with free primary education. In his second term, he introduced tuition-free secondary education in public schools. He also expanded tertiary education by commercializing public universities so they could admit more students and generate their own revenue. This intervention saw student enrollment in public universities increase from 71,000 in 2003 to 276,000 by the time Kibaki left office.
However, his vision for an empowered generation did not end with education. As the world quickly embraced information technology, Kibaki did not want Kenyan youth to miss out on this revolution. He knew that to reduce unemployment and empower Kenyan youth to compete effectively on the global stage, the nation needed access to fast and reliable internet connectivity.
At that time, Kenya’s ICT infrastructure was powered by costly and unreliable radio-based communication models. The solution was fiber optics, but the World Bank-backed EASSY project had issues, and Kenya wanted out. The country explored a joint collaboration with other East African nations to lay an undersea fiber optic cable connecting the region to the world. Frustrated by delays in the regional initiative, Kenya decided to go it alone.
Typically, such projects are funded by Western donor agencies, but there were concerns that this project was too risky. Determined not to let the project falter, Kibaki’s administration took a bold step and financed the construction of the TEAMS (The East African Marine System) undersea fiber optic cable through a public-private partnership. This move not only bypassed dependence on donor agencies but also showcased the government’s commitment to its vision.
The TEAMS cable landed in Mombasa in 2009, drastically reducing internet costs and improving connectivity across the country. This landmark achievement catalyzed the growth of Kenya’s ICT sector, leading to the establishment of numerous tech startups and earning Nairobi the nickname “Silicon Savannah.”
With these interventions, Kibaki fulfilled his vision of empowering the next generation, exemplifying what all leaders are called to do. This sentiment is beautifully captured in a tweet that was shared recently during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 demonstrations:
“@Mothoni_: Shout out to Big Daddy Baks for the free primary education. You saved a whole generation 💪🏾🥹 We are ELOQUENT, INTELLIGENT, CONFIDENT & BRAVE, VERY INFORMED, and most importantly UNITED. I am so proud of young Kenyans. VIVA”
This tribute highlights the lasting impact of Kibaki’s leadership. The legacy of his vision is evident in every student who got a chance to go to school and in Kenya’s thriving digital economy.
What vision are you committed to fulfilling in this life? Share your responses in the chat.
At the Kingdom Leadership Group, we provide custom training programs on leadership development. Contact us for individual and group coaching sessions.
